The Mauritanian (2021)

The critic finds the film compelling, led by a mesmerising performance from Tahar Rahim. She especially praises how the film keeps Mohamedou Ould Slahi’s personality and storytelling at its centre.

Collins presents the film as a forceful reminder that Guantánamo remains open. He praises its full-blooded representation of the detention camp’s victims.

The critic finds the film powerful and authentic, with a quiet dignity at its centre. Tahar Rahim’s performance is singled out for conveying Slahi’s integrity and wry humour through the abuse he endures.

Debruge finds the film a tough but ultimately gripping argument against abuses of power. He singles out Tahar Rahim’s gentle, dignified performance as its emotional anchor.

The accessible page does not reveal the critic’s verdict. It provides no details about what the critic praised or criticized.

The page could not be read, so the critic’s verdict is unavailable. No specific praise or complaint can be confirmed from the accessible text.

Macnab finds the film powerful but one-dimensional, with insufficient dramatic tension. He praises Tahar Rahim’s charismatic performance and the cast’s overall excellence.

Ehrlich finds the film righteous but flat and scattered, with its closing title cards making a stronger impression than the drama. He praises Tahar Rahim’s humane performance as the film’s main strength.

Bowen finds the film formulaic and emotionally impersonal, shortchanging Slahi’s experience. He praises Tahar Rahim’s restrained, empathetic performance as more powerful than the lurid torture scenes.

Ebiri finds the film a noble but staid effort, nearly rescued by a striking ending. He praises Tahar Rahim’s performance and the final formal gambit, while criticizing the muddled legal narrative and disjointed backstory.

Jenkins finds the drama dramatically unsteady and dated, despite its clear condemnation of Guantanamo’s abuses. He praises the chemistry between Jodie Foster and Tahar Rahim.

Bradshaw finds the drama worthy but frustrating, criticizing its fence-sitting approach and lack of answers about Guantánamo. He praises Tahar Rahim’s performance as perfectly decent, while faulting the film for congratulating itself instead of confronting unresolved history.

The review finds the film’s critique of Guantanamo’s legal machinery worthwhile but ultimately generic and overly shouty. It singles out the torture sequence as briefly approaching an inspired insight into the country’s nightmares.

Freer finds the film well-intentioned but dull, flat and formulaic. He singles out Tahar Rahim’s humane, affecting performance as its saving grace.

Chang finds the film well-meaning but fundamentally miscalculated, criticizing its conventional legal-thriller focus for sidelining Slahi’s story. He praises Tahar Rahim’s extraordinary, nuanced performance and says it reveals the story the film should have told.

Rooney finds the well-intentioned legal procedural strangely flat and lacking dramatic momentum. He singles out Tahar Rahim’s dimensional performance as Slahi for praise.

Goldberg finds the film a compelling reminder of American injustice, though it occasionally relies on one-dimensional supporting characters. He singles out Tahar Rahim’s nuanced, unforgettable performance as the film’s central strength.

Kermode finds the film highly watchable despite occasional clumsiness. She particularly praises Benedict Cumberbatch’s compelling portrayal of a military lawyer wrestling with his duty to the truth.

Crump finds the film rote and dull despite its compelling central performance. He singles out Tahar Rahim for giving Mohamedou Ould Salahi humanity and making him the film’s emotional heart.

The review finds the film solid but occasionally generic, with a softened impact despite its important subject. It praises Tahar Rahim for keeping the story’s human cost in focus.

The review finds the film ponderous and often inert, though Tahar Rahim gives it a compelling centre. It praises the humanity he brings to Slahi’s story as a fresh and needed perspective.

The critic finds the film an unsuccessful, sluggish drama that struggles to turn Guantanamo’s abuses into compelling storytelling. They praise Tahar Rahim’s empathetic performance and single out a searing sequence in which lawyers read the documents they have pursued.