The Kingdom

When one of Abu Hamza’s terrorist cells attacks a well-protected American compound in Riyadh by placing a bomb in an ambulance, the FBI seek permission to send a team to investigate. There is a little strong-arming required, and then “Fleury” (Jamie Foxx) arrives with his team of “Sykes” (Chris Cooper), “Mayes” (Jennifer Garner) and “Leavitt” (Jason Bateman) much to the initial chagrin of Saudi colonel “Al Ghazi” (Ashraf Barhom) who is under strict instructions from Prince “Ahmed” (Omar Berdouni) that no harm should come to them. Co-operation is something marginally more optional. The American’s style of working is rude, abrasive and expletive-ridden and so things don’t exactly get off to a good start, but gradually a rapport develops between the colonel and a “Fleury” who starts to appreciate that he will get nothing done unless he plays the game according to their host’s rules. What now follows is a little procedural but that’s made up for by the up close and personal action photography that illustrates the lengths both friend and foe must go to thwart yet more atrocities that don’t discriminate between combatants and civilians. Though it hints at the complexities of the politics in this kingdom, this is essentially just an adventure thriller that is full of car chases, shoot-outs and pyrotechnics whilst reinforcing a message for domestic American consumption that Uncle Sam is working around the clock, around the world, and with formidable allies to keep them safe. Foxx et al are adequate throughout but for me it is Barhom who takes the actings plaudits as his colonel walks a tightrope between his newfound friends and his proud and unforgiving bosses. It is unlikely to be a film you will recall for long, but Peter Berg gets as much out of the story as he could; it races along for most of the time and it largely avoids patronising those from this ancient culture.