The Covenant highlights how Afghan interpreters have been abandoned and targeted. The film balances entertainment and respect when conveying this injustice, yet the script has flaws. It has a white-savior protagonist despite condemning American bureaucracy, and some might misinterpret it as a criticism of the U.S. for pulling out of Afghanistan. These issues stem from its unclear closing statements, American hero, and slightly sanitized action. Still, the movie succeeds through its serious material, measured tone, and sturdy performances. The acting centers everything with tension, range, vulnerability, layers, and chemistry. Overall, The Covenant isn't perfect, but it's honorable.
Technically, The Covenant is skillfully gauged. Its sound adds action, symbolism, silence, emphasis, intimacy, split cuts, distortions, smash cuts, and voiceovers. The imagery uses motion, reflections, lighting, focus, framing, angles, and oners. Its music is regional, moody, thematic, and memorable. The production design establishes location and military. Its effects are impactful, appropriate, and fairly tangible. Despite structural bloat, the editing utilizes frame rates, montages, jump cuts, inserts, cross cuts, fades, intercuts, and rhythm. Its cast is thin on fame besides Gyllenhaal, but Salim is excellent. Ultimately, The Covenant has deft filmmaking and meaningful intentions.
Writing: 7/10
Direction: 8/10
Cinematography: 8/10
Acting: 8/10
Editing: 7/10
Sound: 9/10
Score/Soundtrack: 8/10
Production Design: 8/10
Casting: 7/10
Effects: 8/10
Overall Score: 7.8/10
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