Camp X-Ray

Movie has a good story

This film elicits extreme responses and very little in between. Boring or brilliant, propaganda or truth, pointless or meaningful. Nothing is ever in the middle when it comes to the reviews I've read here. And it's odd, because this film is not about extremes in anything. It's all about the gray areas in life, and in the world. Is Ali a good person? Or is he terrorist? We only have his word on the matter. At the beginning of the film his actions imply, but don't prove suspicion. Cole believes her job to be important, but it's not what she expected. In moments of weakness she makes mistakes that come back to plague her and she finds herself isolated. She knows she must not reach out, but finds it irresistible. So why? Why do they communicate? Ali is intelligent and educated, (And yes, many Arabs speak English and he would have picked up more in all the years he was there). He needs to connect and Amy feels isolated by her actions. We never find out the truth about Ali, and Amy leaves having offered the only thing she can: compassion.The film rarely leaves confined spaces, it makes you feel the claustrophobia of a prison. Most of the scenes are shot in close focus, or through a narrow window in a door, giving the viewer the closed in sense of the place. Both leads are excellent. I was very impressed with Stewart, having known girls just like her character while living in the south. Peyman Moaadi is compelling as Ali, as he desperately tries to find someone to talk to. This film does not moralize about war, or wash the detainees as innocent, some are actually frightening. It leaves you to decided and to think. But the fact that humans, no matter who they are, no matter how difficult it may be, will find a way to connect is never in doubt.

I am wondering days after watching the movie if it was a true movie could he be right about not being guilty and could he be in the prison for doing nothing wrong. I think she feel in love with the prisoner. She kept him from killing himself, was she wrong in stopping him from ending his life. I felt a little sorry for him as she did. Could this really happen. I hope we all have forgiveness in our heart .... and we will be forgiven... I'm glad for myself that I was not in her shoes. We must come together as humans and have compassion for all. If he did the terrorizing then he must be punished for his bad act. I wonder if the movie was true what would I have done, and also have you answer that same question. Kristen Stewart had a good heart and feel in love with someone she could never be with. Great movie I felt.

The thing I truly enjoyed about Camp X-Ray is that it took a simple idea to convey the complexity of the Guantanamo situation. Performances by the leads, Stewart and Moaddi, are key and neither trip into each other as Stewart's Cole quietly plays off Moaddi's charming, maybe guilty of something or maybe not Ali. The performances are never over the top and neither is the film that asks questions but doesn't force answers. I really like that the film, a modest production, never overreaches or gets screechy.I've seen some criticize the pace and that it is slow, but I would counter that argument that the slow, monotony of that middle third can be seen as a character unto itself to illustrate how a place such as Gitmo can get to people in the most subtle of ways. However, it is something that potential viewers should be aware of. This isn't a film of quick pacing.While Stewart and Moaddi have most of the screentime, I really have to give a special nod to John Carroll Lynch who plays the commanding officer of Col Drummond with droll accuracy. It is a small but crucial role and treat to watch.A nicely done film with modest ambition that is powered by nuanced performances. It isn't a perfect film but nonetheless, I enjoyed it muchly.

its sort of silly how they made the other main character a women and tried to portray all these people as innocent. yet another movie that could. have been an interesting with a compelling story that ended up being another leftist political jab. its unavoidable and is ruining our entertainment

This is a touching movie that will leave you full of emotions especially with how us females have to stand up for ourselves even in our chosen profession.A must watch movie.

A riveting tale of unlikely friendship forged in a backdrop up very realistic circumstances. Great performances by Kristen Stewart and Peyman Moaadi. I found the Army stuff that Cole experiences as female to be very true to life. The Army has a horrible track records of dealing with women and keeping them safe from inappropriate conduct. Complain, and you're treated worse. I don't know why this movie didn't get more traction as a feature. The cinematography further enlightens the drama. the only things I have a hard time with is the delicate grooming of her eyebrows - and his were pretty tame, too. (I'm not saying that they got everything right or there aren't inaccuracies, but it feels real on a gut level.) I can only guess that it didn't get more traction because it featured a female. Full Metal Jacket was also a psychological portrait, but it felt more real to many who were conscripted. I guess I just think this is at that level of filmmaking and performance, and the end credit song "Kettering" by The Antlers is hauntingly beautiful.Ironically, it does not pass the Bechdel test. I don't see it being all that likely that the females wouldn't talk to each other at some point, and that would have been a worthwhile scene.When I look at Kristen Stewart, I still see the young girl in Speak, and how much she has grown as an actress.

Excelente película muy recomendable y viene subtitulada en español

This was a really good movie! KS is an excellent actress.

Lástima que no tenga el idioma español, por lo demás, maravillosa película...

Bel film. Ti obnliga a riflettere.Peccato che non ha l'italiano nel menu. Spero un giorno di riuscire a trovarlo doppiato.

,The first time I watched this film was at the London Film festival and I absolutely loved it. I had to buy this DVD and own it, both Kristen Stewart and Payman Moaadi are ideally cast as the leads and are a credit to their chosen profession,they are a joy to watch, You can feel the emotions and struggles that Cole (Kristen) goes through, that of a soldier that is conflicted by her issued orders and her own sense of moral ethics, and Ali (Payman nails the angry wronged detainee...it is heartbreaking and a compelling movie to watch.