Starring
Theo James, Ben Kingsley, Jacqueline Bisset, David Dencik, Belcin
Bilgin, Rachel Wilson. Directed by Per Fly. (2018/108 min).
Of
course, it's always enjoyable to watch Ben Kingsley at work. His
dedication makes even the worst movies at-least endurable. And let's
face it...Sir Kingsley has frequently lent his respected name to some
real dumpster fires, especially during the last decade, sort-of
making him the Michael Caine of the 21st Century.
Fortunately,
Backstabbing for Beginners isn't a dumpster fire, though
Kingsley is easily the main reason to check it out. Well, him and
Jacqueline Bisset, who doesn't grace us with her presence as often as
she used to, at least in anything worth watching (9/11?
Really Jackie??). Unfortunately, neither are in the film nearly
enough (especially Bisset), taking a backseat to Theo James as
Michael, an ambitious, idealistic newbie working under the tutelage
of UN diplomat Pasha (Kingsley).
Backstabbing
for Beginners is based on a true story, adapted from the book by
Michael Soussan, who uncovered massive corruption while
assisting his mentor in Iraq during the United Nation's Oil-for-Food
Program. Prior to the invasion of Iraq, the program made it possible
for Iraq to sell their oil in exchange for food and other essentials.
However, self-serving diplomats, leaders, private companies and a variety of other
morally-questionable folks benefited more than the Iraqi people
actually did.
 |
| Sir Kingsley tries - and fails - to justify The Love Guru. |
Structurally
similar to Oliver Stone's Wall Street, the story is mostly
focused on Michael's eventual disillusionment over the graft and
corruption he witnesses. Before he even starts his job in earnest,
he's essentially forced by the CIA to report everything he sees,
including Pasha's actions, meaning rampant corruption has been
going on for quite awhile.
Some
of this is pretty interesting, especially if one was completely unaware of the
Oil-for-Food scandal (like yours truly). As political thrillers go,
though, its not always terribly gripping. Kingsley is terrific, as
usual, creating a compelling character who's as cynical as he is
foul-mouthed...and not necessarily a villain in the traditional
sense. We often get the impression that, despite his less-than-savory
dealings, Pasha is doing to best job possible with what - and who - he has to
work with. It makes one wish the film were focused mainly on him
because Michael is simply not as interesting, even after hitting the
sheets with Nashim (Belcim Bilgin), a Kerdish rebel with an agenda of
her own (she's more interesting than Michael, too).
Still,
this is a true story that needed to be told and Backstabbing for
Beginners does it fairly well. We learn a lot about what
happened, who was involved and the eventual consequences. The film
could've benefited from a bit more dramatic punch, though.
EXTRA
KIBBLES
FEATURETTE:
"The Truth Behind
Backstabbing for
Beginners"
KITTY CONSENSUS:
NOT BAD. LIKE CAT CHOW.
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