An idealistic UN staffer (an inert Theo James – Divergent) is sent to Baghdad just before the Iraq War to monitor the UN Oil for Food program, aimed at keeping the country’s populace from starving despite sanctions while reining in Saddam’s worst excesses. What he finds – surprise! – is widespread corruption and graft – even implicating his obscenity-spouting boss (an amusing Ben Kingsley). Maybe this accurately titled film is based on a true story, and granted that story is a messy one (allowing some degree of corruption for the greater good?), but that doesn’t excuse the messy storytelling. (108 min)
Don Morton
Don Morton has viewed some 6,000 movies, frequently awake. A bachelor and avid cyclist, he currently divides his time between Tokyo and a high-tech 4WD super-camper somewhere in North America.
You May Also Like
GOAT
Bleat!
She Said
He did what?
The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart
Finally the documentary they deserve
The Banshees of Inisherin
Friends behaving feckin’ badly
Godzilla: The Kaiju That Remembers
A Creature of Fallout and Postwar Memory
Hoppers
Avatar with heart
The Devil Wears Prada 2
That’s all