In 2009 Director Greg Barker entered a documentary of the same name at Sundance. It won the Documentary Film Editing award. Here we are a decade later with a terrific drama telling the same story.
The lead cast is outstanding. Brazilian Wagner Maura, probably best known for his portrayal of drug kingpin Pablo Escobar in the “Narcos” series plays Brazilian United Nations diplomat Sergio Vieira de Mello.
Carolina Larriera, his love interest and partner is a micro-finance expert played by Ana de Armas. She will soon be seen in the newest Bond film “No Time to Die” with Daniel Craig. Veteran Brian O’Byrne portrays Mello’s right hand man Gil Loescher.
Writer Craig Borten and Director Barker certainly have strong views on the war in Iraq but for the most part they deliver a pretty straightforward depiction of it. Paul Bremer is the exception. For some reason they chose to depict him as something of a buffoon.
The storyline jumps around giving us a glimpse of Mello’s work in Kosovo and East Timor, culminating in his fateful service in war torn Iraq. He worked tirelessly to portray his actions as a peacekeeper and an independent voice. His decision to remove the U. S. security force from his Baghdad headquarters was evidence of this and proved to be devastating.
This is a well told story of a man of principle, a flawed man, but nonetheless one who worked diligently to make a difference in the world. The rescue attempts by two U. S. soldiers and former firefighters are gut wrenching. One of them, Bill von Zehle, played by Garret Dillahunt, was brought in as a consultant and it showed.
Because this is a Netflix production it should make its way into your home relatively soon. Be on the lookout. It’s a film worth seeing.
