Monday, November 9, 1998
‘The Siege’ holds audiences captive
FILM: Entertaining movie doesn’t address key social issues like
race, terrorism
By Tristan Thai
Daily Bruin Contributor
Hollywood has always had a bad track record for propagating
stereotypes, wrongfully portraying Arabs as crazed fanatical
terrorists in dense action films such as "True Lies." Thus, the
objections raised by organizations in various communities over the
content of "The Siege" is understandable. But the end result of
"The Siege," a surprisingly entertaining popcorn movie that
occasional implodes due to cinematic cliches, is a film that’s less
anti-Arab and more anti-American.
After a New York City bus explosion, things kick into high gear
as the search goes on for who exactly is behind the attack. Denzel
Washington plays FBI agent Anthony Hubbard, an in-charge,
take-charge, straight-to-your-face kind of guy. Fighting for turf
is special CIA case officer Elise Kraft (Annette Bening), a
mysterious government operative who seems to know more than what
she’s prepared to reveal.
Washington and Bening work together to deter more attacks, but
fail as a number of terrorist bombings successfully silence the
large metropolis. Pretty soon, paranoia and fear strike the leaders
of the country and martial law is invoked. Frightening images of
the U.S. Army marching into New York ensue, leading to the
internment of every young Arab-American male they can find. All of
this eventually leads to a battle between Washington and Bruce
Willis (the general leading the siege) over the correct path to the
safety of the country.
The first half of "The Siege" is full of the typical Hollywood
shoot-or-don’t-shoot, bomb-on-the-bus, car-chase sequences that may
indeed raise some eyebrows with the one-dimensional depiction of
Arab terrorists. The second half redeems the movie, however, as
"The Siege" presents questions about the history of U.S. foreign
policy and the racism that is inherent once paranoia enters the
heart of the American populace. One wishes,though, that more time
was spent on these issues rather than the usual testosterone-driven
action scenes.
With the exception of Willis, who seems bored and uncomfortable
in his role as gruff army general William Devereaux, the cast
proves itself exceptional, with Washington able to light a fire in
his eyes at any minute and Bening playing the film’s most
conflicted character. The biggest surprise, however, is the
sympathetic and tortured performance given by Tony Shalhoub,
playing an FBI agent whose son is taken away from home and sent to
an internment camp. Shalhoub has successfully graduated from his
role as a silly cab-driver in "Wings" to one of the most capable
character actors around, working with such esteemed writer and
directors as Stanley Tucci and the Coen brothers.
Though one can appreciate the profound issues raised by "The
Siege" in the heat of inevitable protests and demonstrations, it
unfortunately never rises to the level it desires. Instead, "The
Siege" falls into the safe and snuggly category of a
better-than-average action film that will do nothing more than
entertain for two hours, which come to think of it, isn’t so bad
considering this year’s awful crop of films.
Twentieth Century Fox
(Left to right) Annette Bening, Denzel Washington and Tony
Shaloub star in "The Siege," a film about a series of attacks in
New York City.
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