Thursday, June 19, 2008

Extradition

Author(s): Pat
Location: NY

"Extradition"

Directed By Edward Zwick
Written By David Benioff and John Logan
Produced By Edward Zwick, Tom Cruise, Kathleen Wagner

Main Cast

Mark Wahlberg (Nathan Ardeth)
Uma Thurman (Melanie Briarman)
Mark Ruffalo (Alex Briarman)
Harrison Ford (Carter McDermott)
John Lone (Sonny Yong)
Rick Yune (John Zheng)
Michelle Yeoh (Li Zhi Zheng)
Bradley Whitford (Barney Dillard)
Michael C. Hall (Vince Catalan)

Tagline: "Right and wrong are determined by morals, not the law"

Synopsis: Alex Briarman (Mark Ruffalo) is one of the most prominent businessmen in America. He owns and runs a popular pharmaceutical company that uses herbs and ancient remedies to combat some of the most vicious modern viruses. Alex’s home life is one that dreams are made of. He has a beautiful wife, Melanie (Uma Thurman), and lives in a glorious mansion outside of San Francisco. But Alex isn’t as wholesome as the world thinks. After returning from a business trip to China, Alex is arrested at the airport and held by Chinese officials for kidnapping, raping, and murdering an 11-year-old girl. As a gesture to strengthen international relations, the U.S. government allows China to take Alex into custody and extradite him to their country.

Melanie decides to go to China to fight the charges with Alex’s best friend, Nathan (Mark Wahlberg), who also believes that Alex is innocent. Nathan thinks that Alex is being set up by a rival drug company run by Vince Catalan (Michael C. Hall), a former friend, who wants to take over Alex’s drug supply in China. Once overseas, Nathan and Melanie seek the help from American ambassador Carter McDermott (Harrison Ford) but are angered when he admits that he has been ordered not to interfere with the case. Carter instead gives them his legal associate Barney Dillard (Bradley Whitford) because he is familiar with the Chinese legal system. It is then that Nathan and Melanie learn that the case is to be brought to the Supreme People’s Court under Chief Justice Sonny Yong (John Lone).

Nathan and Melanie race to find answers when Alex could be sentanced to death for the crimes he is being accused. They confront the girl’s parents (Ricky Yune, Michelle Yeoh) and learn that they claim Alex kidnapped them and made them watch as he brutally killed their daughter. They meet with Vince Catalan and question him about his involvement. They’re suspiscions grow when they find Catalan and Carter McDermott in a meeting with Chinese officials. But everything changes with a startling revelation from Alex.

“Extradition” is a tense, dramatic story about the ignorances of corporate nationalism, the importance of morals and justice, and the drive of a loved one’s determination.

What the Press would say:

Edward Zwick, the acclaimed director of “Blood Diamond” and “Glory”, returns to the big screen with his new film “Extradition”, a political thriller about a man accused of committing a horrible crime in China. Mark Wahlberg leads an all-star cast as the best friend of the man who is charged with murdering a girl while on a business trip in China. Wahlberg departs from his usual brash act to play a quiet businessman who only wants to see his friend free. Uma Thurman co-stars as the accused’s wife who travels to China and goes to great lengths to get her husband out of a deplorable jail. Her heartbreaking turn is more than enough to bring a tear to the audience’s eye, especially during the film’s final act when a devastating secret is revealed that shatters everything she knew. Television veteran Bradley Whitford steals scenes as a foul-mouthed lawyer who decides to help even though it could mean his dismissal. His courtroom rants are good enough to rival Gregory Peck’s award-winning role in “To Kill A Mockingbird”. Chinese film star John Lone delivers an amazing performance as the judge who decides if the accused will live or die. His defiant narcissism permeates every scene he is in. Michelle Yeoh is moving as the grieving mother who claims she was forced to watch her daughter raped and murdered. Her court scenes are her best when she speaks in her native language and breaks down with her husband at her side. Mark Ruffalo steals the show as the center of attention with his calm, suspiscious demeanor and obvious sense of hatred towards the Chinese. The best moment of the film comes at his hands when he reveals a piece of information that changes the course of the entire film. “Extradition” is a thriller game of secrets and morals that will bring a tear to the eye and a shock to the brain.

FYC

Best Picture
Best Director-Edward Zwick
Best Original Screenplay
Best Actor-Mark Wahlberg
Best Actress-Uma Thurman
Best Supporting Actor-John Lone
Best Supporting Actor-Mark Ruffalo
Best Supporting Actor-Bradley Whitford
Best Supporting Actress-Michelle Yeoh

No comments: