52 out of 53 people found the following review helpful:
A thrilling, politically charged action film with some thought behind the mayhem.
JJTimothy from ,
22nd October, 2007
An FBI team arrives to help investigate a bomb attack on a western housing compound in Saudi Arabia but their welcome is frosty to say the least. This film tackles an important and emotive issue head on, and praise is due for that, but I left with the impression that it was better than it deserved to be and I think the problem (which may only be my problem) stems from the script. It gives a convincing impression of the background the drama plays against and is laudably even-handed but the characterization is sketchy, there's an underlying assumption that the Americans know best and everything is resolved a little too neatly by a climactic chase and shoot-out. No matter. It was probably only the fact that The Kingdom confronts issues at all that made me think it could have dug a little deeper and the film papers over any cracks simply by being so well made. This is the fourth film directed by actor Peter Berg and a mightily impressive job he does too. The pace is brisk, the opening attack appalling, the outlining of the investigation meticulous and interesting whilst the final chase is desperate and visceral. Berg also draws good performances from a cast that, as noted, has little to work on with the best impression made by Ashraf Barhoum as the team's Saudi liaison. There's a bit of a lecture sneaked in during the opening titles economically outlining the modern history of the Arabian peninsula and the tensions that trouble Saudi Arabia. That tension is always in mind pervading this film in as convincing a portrayal of culture clash as you'll ever see. The agents are there against the wishes of the US State Department, which considers things quite complicated enough already and makes no secret of the fact, and, although publicly welcomed by royalty, their participation in the investigation is only grudgingly permitted. The Kingdom's convincing and well sustained atmosphere establishes a last scene that deftly cross-cuts between two sets of characters. The story-arc may have been resolved but, this scene says, little else has. Like other aspects of the film it is arguably pat but undeniably effective. A little shallow as a political thriller instead view The Kingdom an atmospheric and compelling action film with brains and a conscience. It would make an interesting double-bill with Syriana.
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