Crimes against reality: on ‘Zero Dark Thirty’s’ depictions of torture

SlashFilm‘s David Chen:

It is a fact that many people will leave this film thinking that torture, in some way, helped lead to the killing of Osama Bin Laden. That’s what political pundits are getting upset about — the fact that people think torture was effective at all. And if the pundits are correct in saying that the film sends people out of the theater with an understanding that torture was effective, then who is wrong? Filmgoers for not understanding what the film is trying to say? Or Bigelow for depicting torture irresponsibly? As usual, I think the answer lies somewhere in between.

I don’t fully agree with David’s stance here, but his writing and the evidence behind his arguments is excellent.