Soon, they escape, and because of Samir’s demolitions expertise, he is invited to join the terror network run by the elusive Nathir (Raad Rawi). In pursuit is a team of FBI agents led by Roy Clayton (Guy Pearce), who knows that Nathir has a terrorist strike planned inside the United States.
This sets off a global chase of cat and mouse. However, and this is the movie’s best trick in a bag filled with many, we aren’t sure who is the cat and who is the mouse. Why? Because Samir may be an undercover government agent seeking to destroy the very terrorist organization he is working for.
“Traitor” is a twist-driven spy movie and the rare adventure film that relies more on cerebral suspense than bone-cracking action. The film moves seamlessly between locales as varied as the Sudan, Yemen, Chicago, Marseilles, and, of course, Washington, D.C.
Despite its complexity, the narrative is clear and focused. While the film certainly delivers plenty of suspense, its interests really lie with the philosophical intricacies of today’s ongoing battle between religious ideologies. If that sounds like a bitter pill to swallow as far as entertaining films go, for the most part, “Traitor” avoids turning into an issues-oriented bore.
Cheadle handles the role of Samir with his usual expertise. It is to Cheadle’s credit and ample talents that we empathize with the highly conflicted Samir, a man, though conscience stricken, is providing training and explosives to a deadly terrorist organization.
His opposite number, Pearce as the Tennessee-born FBI agent Roy Clayton, continues to believably disappear into every role he plays. Here he utilizes a pitch-perfect Southern accent to leave nary a doubt he is the character on screen. Both men, despite their strong faith in religion and the law, are all but buried in a murky moral landscape, unsure if their actions truly are correct in the eyes of God or the law.
“Traitor” is a solid genre film with strong performances from all involved. There is much to like about this excursion into the shadows of modern espionage, and it does hold a number of surprises. However, if nothing else, “Traitor” will make you uncomfortable with its view that the fight against terrorism is taking place on the shifting, sinking sands of uncertainty.
?BOB HARRIS has been hooked on movies since he was 13 when his brother got a job in a multi-plex and Bob saw all the movies he wanted for free.
