The Whistleblower

Name: The Whistleblower
Genre: Drama
Released: August 5, 2011
Duration: 112 min
Rating: 59
Cast: Monica Bellucci, Rachel Weisz, Vanessa Redgrave

2011

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 31 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 38 Ratings

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7.4

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7.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 38 Ratings

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The Whistleblower

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Movie Details & Credits

Samuel Goldwyn Films | Release Date: August 5, 2011 | R

Starring: Monica Bellucci, Rachel Weisz, Vanessa Redgrave

Summary: Inspired by actual events, Kathy is an American police officer who takes a job working as a peacekeeper in post-war Bosnia. Her expectations of helping to rebuild a devastated country are dashed when she uncovers a dangerous reality of corruption, cover-up and intrigue amid a world of private contractors and multinational diplomaticInspired by actual events, Kathy is an American police officer who takes a job working as a peacekeeper in post-war Bosnia. Her expectations of helping to rebuild a devastated country are dashed when she uncovers a dangerous reality of corruption, cover-up and intrigue amid a world of private contractors and multinational diplomatic double-talk. (Samuel Goldwyn Films )… Expand

Director: Larysa Kondracki

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 112 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Rex Reed

Aug 2, 2011

A grisly, authentic, meticulously researched, pulse-quickening political chiller about a hot-button topic that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Read full review

Mary Pols

Aug 4, 2011

Weisz is a dazzling woman, but her beauty is barely noticeable in this role; her character's integrity and her mounting anger grab all the attention. In one scene Kathy finally confronts what she's up against and starts to cry. They are tears of rage, and the most powerful I've seen this year. Read full review

Roger Moore

Oct 12, 2011

A first-rate one-woman-against-the-system drama. Read full review

Carrie Rickey

Aug 18, 2011

The story, inspired by Bolkovac's experiences in Bosnia and her subsequent book account, is dynamite. Alas, Kondracki's direction fizzles. While she elicits a tense and eloquent performance from Weisz, the first-time filmmaker fails to maintain a consistent tone. Her film samples multiple genres. Read full review

Sam Adams

Aug 2, 2011

Our heroine plods doggedly through her frequently stymied investigation, and The Whistleblower follows suit, trudging forward one encumbered step at a time. Read full review

Rene Rodriguez

Sep 1, 2011

The film is just a procession of increasingly grim and ugly scenarios and discoveries, capped off by a wildly frustrating ending. Read full review

Kyle Smith

Aug 5, 2011

A pointless drama that trafficks in cliché. Read full review

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User Reviews

Shirlag1

Nov 17, 2018

I'm giving this movie a 10 not because I think it's perfect but because some of the negative reviews from the critics made me so angry. Sometimes, I think critics are all about self-importance and sounding "critical" more than they are about the quality or strength of a movie. This film isI'm giving this movie a 10 not because I think it's perfect but because some of the negative reviews from the critics made me so angry. Sometimes, I think critics are all about self-importance and sounding "critical" more than they are about the quality or strength of a movie. This film is difficult to watch but so important. It's not a movie for the sake of making a movie but a revelation. It hit me in the gut, exactly where it was meant to. It made think about this world and my country at present. It's a tough reality but it sheds light on a painful truth. The fight between good and evil is a close match and it reminded me that if you stand for good you better stand now. The scenes are real and sometimes brutally authentic. Rachel Weisz does an outstanding job of portraying Kathryn Bolkovac. Her character has lost her daughter in a custody suite and thus her deep emotional involvement with the young girls who are victims of human trafficking into the sexual slave market is better understood. I do think her own fading relationship with her daughter could have been emphasized more to remind us she is fueled not only by her job and her natural humanity but her maternal instincts. Please don't miss this powerful film because you think it might be upsetting and especially not because of the critics. Allow it to motivate you for justice because God knows, this world needs to work for it everyday.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

movieboy

Aug 13, 2011

Ignore some of the lame critic reviews. This is a very powerful drama, kind of an Erin Brockovich of sex trafficking. At times it's quite harrowing. The lead character, based on a true story, is a real heroine. It's an incredible indictment of the UN "peace" keeping mission in Bosnia, theIgnore some of the lame critic reviews. This is a very powerful drama, kind of an Erin Brockovich of sex trafficking. At times it's quite harrowing. The lead character, based on a true story, is a real heroine. It's an incredible indictment of the UN "peace" keeping mission in Bosnia, the corruption of the private security companies and the indifference of the US State Department to do anything about young women being sold as sex slaves. Warning - get to the end and your blood might boil.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

malieckal

Aug 14, 2011

Excellent film, despite being both disturbing in subject and unflinching in portrayal. Occasionally clunky expositional dialogue is more than made up for with very strong performances by the women cast as trafficked women from Ukraine, and eminently hatable bad guys who see nothing wrongExcellent film, despite being both disturbing in subject and unflinching in portrayal. Occasionally clunky expositional dialogue is more than made up for with very strong performances by the women cast as trafficked women from Ukraine, and eminently hatable bad guys who see nothing wrong with beating and raping young girls who have been kidnapped and chained into slavery. Very, very affecting stuff, and the tension is quite expertly ratcheted up drip by drip, from start to finish. Weisz continues to shine by breathing a soul into what could have been a two-dimensional role; her no-nonsense cop from Nebraska makes you proud to be an American, even when the American company she works for does everything it can to stop her from exposing a sordid underbelly of sex trafficking. Her heroine manages to be a flawed, flickering flame of hope that refuses to be snuffed out. Occasionally choppy editing and awkward scene transitions only superficially mar great pacing; 'shakeycam' cinematography is unnecessary, but the lighting is emotionally effective and exteriors of Bosnia (actually shot in Romania) bolster the film's look. I've been reading reviews on Metacritic for years; and have never personally reviewed a film; this one just feels like its an inspired work about an important topic that doesn't deserve to be lost in the weeds of the cinema's dog days of summer. Highly recommended.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

JamesL

Aug 29, 2011

This film was much better than I expected. This was a story that I was not even aware of. The film was explicit and graphic which scored with me. I do wish that more time had been spent on the workings of the trade and the relationship with the UN. Also, more could have have spent on theThis film was much better than I expected. This was a story that I was not even aware of. The film was explicit and graphic which scored with me. I do wish that more time had been spent on the workings of the trade and the relationship with the UN. Also, more could have have spent on the aftermath of the scandal coming to light. Still, I was impressed with the movie and its willingness to not sugarcoat the subject. A pleasant surprise for me.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Compi24

Nov 5, 2018

The U.N. was involved in sex trafficking throughout Bosnia during the late 90's. Think about that statement for a moment. Think about the implications behind what's just been said there. It's absolutely mind-boggling. And it's the thematic spine of Larysa Kondracki's "The Whistleblower," aThe U.N. was involved in sex trafficking throughout Bosnia during the late 90's. Think about that statement for a moment. Think about the implications behind what's just been said there. It's absolutely mind-boggling. And it's the thematic spine of Larysa Kondracki's "The Whistleblower," a cutting, stomach-churning look at some of the hardest truths about failed diplomacy that I've ever seen in a film. This is a rough go, that's for sure. And definitely not for the faint of heart. But it's the pathos and energy of Rachel Weisz's lead performance that ultimately keeps you in your seat, willing enough to see through the dingy, piss-to-a-boil-inducing amorality on display in some scenes. This is a movie that I'm glad happened about a series of events that I'm absolutely disgusted happened. It should be witnessed by all.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

nutterjr

Apr 1, 2012

A powerful drama based on a true story of how the UN was trafficking women whilst on a peace mission in Bosnia and the struggle of one woman to put an end to it. Weisz is very convincing as the angry woman against a corrupt and politically supported system.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

tp122

Aug 4, 2019

An unflinching look at real life horror, with a great performance by Rachel Weisz, but marred by a meandering, sloppy script and poor direction. By the end I was informed, outraged and disgusted by what goes on, but for all its graphic honesty, this movie offers little or no insight, and IAn unflinching look at real life horror, with a great performance by Rachel Weisz, but marred by a meandering, sloppy script and poor direction. By the end I was informed, outraged and disgusted by what goes on, but for all its graphic honesty, this movie offers little or no insight, and I was just left wanting to take a shower.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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