At a Glance

A MIGHTY HEART tells the harrowing true story of WALL STREET JOURNAL reporter Daniel Pearl who, in 2002, was kidnapped and executed in Pakistan by Islamic fundamentalists. Based on the memoirs of Daniel's widow, Mariane Pearl (played here with great sensitivity by Angelina Jolie), the film centres on the frantic events leading up to his death. Mariane, a fellow journalist, revs into action as soon as the disappearance of her husband is announced, calling on the FBI and counter-terrorism experts to assist in the desperate search. With the media circling around the story like vultures, Mariane endures a very public display of grief, and her plight is perfectly captured by the unlikely alliance of director Michael Winterbottom (24-HOUR PARTY PEOPLE) and his leading lady. The film was mostly shot in Karachi and uses locations that Daniel was known to have visited, adding a heady dose of authenticity to the proceedings. Winterbottom's cinema verite style of filmmaking helps to create a sense of chaos as various organisations descend on Pakistan in the quest to find Daniel; fortunately the director uses some much-needed on-screen captions to ensure that viewers are up to speed on who everyone is. A MIGHTY HEART is tough, emotional viewing that will be challenging (yet rewarding) for many audiences, even those who are already familiar with this heartbreaking story.