A Private War
Cert 15, 110 minutes, in cinemas 15 February
Starring: Rosamund Pike, Jamie Dornan, Tom Hollander Director: Matthew Heineman
THE PLOT War reporter Marie Colvin (Pike) repeatedly put her life in jeopardy to give voice to the civilians caught in the crossfire of conflicts, until her 2012 death in the siege of Homs, Syria. But what drove her? WHAT’S RIGHT WITH IT? Respect to the filmmakers for presenting a flawed, courageous individual, rather than a saint. Jamie Dornan, playing Colvin’s photographer pal Paul, presents a more relatable angle on the story. WHAT’S WRONG WITH IT? Audiences may struggle to engage with a character who is this addicted to danger.
VERDICT This powerful portrait of a brave, unerringly moral woman packs a punch. ★★★★ Charles Gant