Cleanskin (2012)

It's a format I've seen before in British crime thriller/political intrigue films, a format I'm not particularly fond of, and Cleanskin isn't even a well done example of it. No letdowns in the acting department though, so credit where credit's due.

Final rating:★★ - Had some things that appeal to me, but a poor finished product.

A young British student (Abhin Galeya) is gradually indoctrinated into a Muslim cell bent on revenge after the "War on Terror", and is pursued by a government agent - Sean Bean - who is pretty much given a clean slate by his boss Charlotte Rampling. The story is told via parallel timelines in which we discover what has driven both men to their current courses of action; and whilst it does use some fairly sweeping stereotypical generalising for plot development, the characterisations delivered by both - especially Galeya - are quite revealing as a potential explanation for extremes in behaviour caused by fear, ignorance and large scale indifference. Regrettably, the dialogue is mundane; and the direction loses focus all to often as we flit between scenarios whilst trying to build up some sort of interest in two rather unlikeable - if good looking - men obsessed with their own perspectives. Rampling features sparingly, as does James Fox, which is a shame as they could have both have been used to further develop the cause and effect toxicity of the storyline. It is worth a watch, but is not particularly original in either concept nor execution.