We do not have to wait so long these days for major events and current affairs to be adapted for the big screen. Cleanskin taps into the new cold war of the 21st century - The interaction between Islam and The West. In our world of real politik i feel the makers behind this movie have went for the easy option. Its Bourne all over again. A conspiracy theory. Western governments and agencies manipulating events (and their own agents) for political gain. While trying to educate us that the situation is more complex than we are led to believe by the establishment/media ironically the movie message itself is simplistic.
A lot is achieved here on a small budget. Definitely looks more professional than a made for TV production as others have suggested. The acting is top rate even if Bean mumbles his way through. He is still hard as nails. The grooming of the young Muslim men is portrayed well and we see how the master manipulator having served his time fighting the Russians in Afghanistan now solely pulls the strings. The dual message of simultaneous indoctrination/manipulation is clear when the viewer watches the character of Ash develop. A linear timeline would however have been preferable rather than the flashback option.
The plot "reveal" at the end is that Beans character has been indoctrinated/manipulated just as much, that the state like the terrorists condones collateral damage. Everyone is a pawn to be used. A more accurate depiction of the intelligence services would show how the various agencies fail to share information and are often incompetent. Cleanskin sits on the fence - a plague on all your houses it says. The very fact that a movie on this subject can be shot, edited, marketed and released in the UK debunks that position.
A lot is achieved here on a small budget. Definitely looks more professional than a made for TV production as others have suggested. The acting is top rate even if Bean mumbles his way through. He is still hard as nails. The grooming of the young Muslim men is portrayed well and we see how the master manipulator having served his time fighting the Russians in Afghanistan now solely pulls the strings. The dual message of simultaneous indoctrination/manipulation is clear when the viewer watches the character of Ash develop. A linear timeline would however have been preferable rather than the flashback option.
The plot "reveal" at the end is that Beans character has been indoctrinated/manipulated just as much, that the state like the terrorists condones collateral damage. Everyone is a pawn to be used. A more accurate depiction of the intelligence services would show how the various agencies fail to share information and are often incompetent. Cleanskin sits on the fence - a plague on all your houses it says. The very fact that a movie on this subject can be shot, edited, marketed and released in the UK debunks that position.