The story about Mohamedou Ould Slahi who spent 14 years at Guantánamo Bay without ever being charged with a crime, is certainly not one of America’s finest hours. In this drama, Tahar Rahim naturally grabs the spotlight as ”the Mauritanian”, while Jodie Foster’s attorney plays a minor role; he’s very good, and Benedict Cumberbatch is also worth a look as the prosecutor with a Southern drawl who realizes that the military has ruined the case. The film is at its best when it shows life at Guantánamo, changing the aspect ratio in some scenes to illustrate the claustrophobia.

2021-U.S. 129 min. Color. Part Widescreen. Directed by Kevin Macdonald. Book: Mohamedou Ould Slahi (”Guantanamo Diary”). Cast: Jodie Foster (Nancy Hollander), Tahar Rahim (Mohamedou Ould Slahi), Benedict Cumberbatch (Stuart Couch), Shailene Woodley, Zachary Levi, Saamer Usmani.

Golden Globe: Best Supporting Actress (Foster). 

IMDb