A reference is made in Guy Ritchie’s latest film, “The Covenant” (aka “Guy Richie’s The Covenant”), to Jake Gyllenhaal’s big, blue, soulful eyes. They are one of Gyllenhaal’s significant assets, and in several superb scenes in this movie, we drown in their sorrow.
During the War in Afghanistan, US sergeant John Kinley (Gyllenhaal) recruits an Afghan named Ahmed (Danish actor Dar Salim whose family fled Afghanistan for Denmark when he was six years old) as an interpreter. Ahmed says he needs the money, but he also hates the Taliban because they killed his son (later, we learn that Ahmed’s son also had striking blue eyes). At first, Kinley doesn’t trust Ahmed, but he soon realizes that Ahmed is providing reliable information as a translator, and he also seems to see through the lies of the locals he interrogates.
Following an ambush by the Taliban, in which all of Kinley’s platoon are killed except for Kinley and Ahmed, and Kinley is severely injured, Ahmed rescues Kinley by dragging him through miles of mountainous Taliban-controlled territory and back to the American base camp.
Kinley, under sedation, is immediately transported to the United States for medical treatment. After he recovers, he learns Ahmed is in hiding with his wife and newborn child while being hunted by the Taliban. When Kinley attempts to get visas for Ahmed and his family, he is met with a wall of bureaucracy in Washington. So, he decides to take matters into his own hands and, having called in a few favors, returns to Afghanistan to rescue his friend.
This is Richie’s best film since he arrived on the scene over twenty years ago with “Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels” and “Snatch.” Violence is a common denominator, but here, devoid of the hipness and knowingness of his debut and follow-up, it is an essential part of the horror surrounding the protagonists. Gyllenhaal is marvelous both in the Afghan scenes and back home, where he stews in agony over the fate of his friend. Matching him in every one of their scenes together, Salim gives a supremely dignified yet profoundly moving performance worthy of a Best Supporting Actor nomination. Kudos to Johnny Lee Miller, who shares a great scene with Gyllenhaal, and Emily Beecham, Kinley’s wife, who does wonders with a few underwritten scenes.
Recommended.
