Eye in the Sky (2015)

Directed by Gavin Hood
Written by Guy Hibbert
Starring Helen Mirren, Alan Rickman, Aaron Paul and Barkhad Abdi

In the age of drone warfare, much of the decision making regarding military attacks is done behind closed doors and spread amongst several people on different continents. This film by Gavin Hood opens those doors and lets the audience take a look at what goes on behind them.

While this is not the first film of its kind, "Eye in the Sky" is unique in its own way. It focuses on the moral struggle that not only the drone pilot faces, but also the numerous higher ups that chime in to green light the attack. Although the film takes place in three countries, it has a very claustrophobic feel to it. You are centered in on one small location for each character which only adds to the importance of the subject at hand.

With this all-star cast in which most of them act and react to things that aren't actually there (while filming), it is amazing how believable every performance is. Even though I know Aaron Paul and Helen Mirren are probably looking at blank screens, I believed that they were watching the events unfold before them in real time. That is something that is more difficult than it seems. Just ask Sir Ian McKellen.

One of the things that I loved about the film was Barkhad Abdi's return to the screen. You may remember him in his Oscar Nominated role in "Captain Phillips". When an actor comes out of nowhere and has success like he did, right away. I always worry that it won't go anywhere for them and that it was a fluke. But even in this, he proved to be a decent actor. And while we all know he will be typecast, at least he is making money doing so. And more money than he would driving limousines.

Overall, this film was a shining light in the dark months of film in early 2016. It is better than damn near everything that came out by a long shot, with a few exceptions. What makes this film great is that it creates a discussion or morality, not just between characters and audience members with opposing political beliefs. But for me, an internal dialogue of what I believe to be the just conclusion, if there even is one.

It had so much more going on than it needed to. It could just have easily had a lot of action and yelling and called it a day. But it chose to take the more difficult path and actually argue both sides of the debate logically and realistically. It was an unexpectedly intelligent and open minded film all while bringing up a subject that should be discussed more.

My Rating: 8/10