THE COVENANT movie review

THE COVENANT is directed by Guy Ritchie. The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Dar Salim.

Military Sergeant John Kinley, serving in Afghanistan, has just last his interpreter to a bomb explosion, requiring him and his platoon to recruit Ahmed, a man who has sworn revenge against the Taliban following the death of his son. Despite initial hostilities between one another due to their different operating styles, the two most work together when stranded behind enemy lines in hostile territory, and once again when Kinley wants to help Ahmed by repaying him for saving his life, helping him and his family escape the war zone to find sanctuary in the United States.

“War in the Middle East” movies are a dime a dozen these days, and it seems like that’s been the case to a greater degree ever since the 9/11 attacks two decades go. While I nearly dismissed this one as “just another war movie,” this moviegoer was somewhat optimistic upon seeing the material was in the talented hands of director Guy Ritchie. While not a perfect film, THE COVENANT is certainly better than I was expecting, with its gritty tone, chemistry of its leading men, and a gripping and dramatic story.

THE COVENANT certainly deserves credit for its leading men. Over a quarter century of so, Jake Gyllenhaal has evolved from teen heartthrob to one of the most reliable leading men in Hollywood, capable of taking on any role thrown his way. His performance as Kinley is certainly convincing, whether he’s on the battlefields of Afghanistan, or struggling when it comes to juggle his military obligations with his home life. He owns all of his scenes, and his fellow leading man, Dar Salim as Ahmed, though considerably less known, gives an equally convincing role as a Middle Eastern man who wants to serve and help his family to escape the hell in which they live. Chemistry between leading actors can make or break a film, but in the case of THE COVENANT, it’s a definite advantage.

The movie manages to paint a picture of a war-torn Afghanistan with convincing setpieces, riveting action sequences, and gritty R-rated violence that does a good job demonstrating just how desolate an atmosphere these American solider have been thrush into, as well as the torment faced by Middle Easterners who aren’t loyal to or support the Taliban. Guy Ritchie knows how to paint a picture when it comes to the world of cinema, and that’s truer than ever in THE COVENANT.

Only a handful of elements weigh the film down. One disappointment is how the film takes its time introducing the members of Kinley’s platoon, only to more-or-less phase them out early in the movie, after which point they cease to be characters of note. Similarly, while the film is not overlong, some sections do tend to drag, taking too long to get a point across. Likewise, the Taliban villains of the film are largely one-note compared to the two leading men; do they seriously have nothing better to do than pursue our heroes (taking over a nation, for example?)

THE COVENANT is flawed but still a powerful film from Guy Ritche which features two solid leading men, great supporting roles, and a well-told narrative that succeeds more often than it falters, telling a strong story and demonstrating a bond between two men serving together and what comes of it. Recommended, just be forewarned of sequences of R-rated violence that aren’t for the squeamish!