Critic's Grade: A+

Frank's film tip: Hitch a thrilling and thought-provoking ride with Alex Gibney's intense Oscar-winning documentary feature TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE

**NOTE: ACADEMY AWARD WINNER: Best Documentary Feature (2007)

Writer-director Alex Gibney (“Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room”) delivers a searing account of disturbing proportions in a revealing documentary that specifically addresses the amoral tendencies of war. In the blistering documentary Taxi to the Dark Side, Gibney probes into the Bush administration’s tactical tool of trade—the use of torture methods to achieve the upper hand in the rigors of wartime jingoism. The examination of mistreatment regarding detainees and the information they hold for American interests may enrage and/or empower those who feel passionate about the crusade against global terrorism on either side of the sympathetic/unsympathetic coin. Gibney raises a tricky question: should the U.S. government rely on inhumane means to reinforce the protection and patriotism of the American people under the weak-kneed guise of devastation, distortion and vulnerability?

Without taking a “pro” or “anti” stance one way or the other Gibney cleverly delves into the seething debate about how over-the-top torturous antics could amplify the way we progressively pursue ominous attackers that look to violate the basic freedoms of a post 9/11 America. Where disillusionment and resentment understandably reign supreme since the United States had its cynical brush with radical extremists, Taxi reminds us of the horrifying consequences where political paranoia, retaliation and rationalism meet at the broken hip like a couple of out-of-control vehicles crashing at a busy intersection. Whatever your persuasion is politically—conservative, liberal or independent—Taxi to the Dark Side is one of the most absorbing and confrontational documentaries to approach this turbulent theme of torture as a questionable anecdote to promote the national security, sanctity and stability of American liberty.

The film’s title is appropriately realized as it is in reference to the unfortunate fate of an innocent Afghan cabdriver named Diliwar who was mistaken by the U.S. military as an instigator involving a ricocheting rocket. Distraught and daunted by his captors at Bagram Air Force Base, the imprisoned Diliwar would be subjected to fatal doses of inflicted harm as a high-profile detainee. The intimidated cabdriver emphatically pleaded his innocence and stressed that he knew nothing as to what the U.S. governmental officials pressed from him. Sadly random beatings, sleep deprivation, battered and busted limbs and other unspeakable physical abuses resulted in a tragic ending where Diliwar died of his countless wounds. The abusive was excessive and conclusive thus making the victimized Diliwar a statistical sacrifice in the name of “necessary indignities”.

The brutality of Diliwar’s demise (internal bleeding claimed his life) basically set the table for the sheer curiosity behind using Afghans as faceless guinea pigs to accomplish a bigger score—to flush out the real undesirables that present an impending danger to the livelihood of American democracy. The stark outrageousness begs the probing question: does the atrocity-ridden ends justify the ultimate means? Through a series of interviews, recollections, graphic photos and video footage we explore the realm of the madness which fosters with indescribable numbness. Shockingly, we are taken into the spiral of despair as some of the soldiers connected to these horrific acts give grave details behind the “recommended punishment”. In addition to the conception of physical torture incarceration and other disciplinary duties as administered by U.S. military brass are examined with profound puzzlement.

Skillfully, Taxi to the Dark Side is one haunting ride as this regrettable case study of the endangered Diliwar (and other unlucky murdered targets such as him) serves as crucial topical tease to outline the behind-close-door abuses staged at infamous militaristic outlets. (Facilities such as Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo and the aforementioned Bagram Air Force Base...just to name a few). Granted that Gibney’s startling narrative dares to tap into the investigative mode where U.S. officials are forced to contend with homicidal cases that are comparative to the drastic slaying of Diliwar. Still, there’s a dismissive sense of indifference that supports the notion that “cutting a pesky worm out of a rotten apple even though it wasn’t there initially” is fine because the best of intentions were in place. Some may see Diliwar’s predicament as dire and disastrous; others may view it as the price to pay where wartime sentiments have no time for mild manners in a tragic conflict that knows no distinctive boundaries.

One of the fascinating angles as proposed in Taxi is the idea that a few roguish and undisciplined low-level soldiers that were responsible for these severe beatings merely “acted out of their self-absorbed arrogance”. In other words, could these half-cocked soldiers be a convenient scapegoat for the blustery blame that could be pinpointed to the perplexing policies of the Bush regime? Should high-ranking venues such as the Pentagon and the White House get a pass when a few maligned military bunch decide to turn inexplicably haywire? The heat is turned up some when various officials from different branches of the military, former FBI operatives and a noted author on the subject of terrorism and torture all come together and raise the inquiry of accountability. Refreshingly, this is way beyond a few inconsequential renegade soldiers acting out their brand of perverse (and celebratory) salaciousness.

Utterly engrossing and captivating in its inquisitive scope, Taxi to the Dark Side is a rousing question mark that hints at an assortment of government-sponsored, high-brow issues. Ranging from the effectiveness of torture-induced procedures (recently the discussion of waterboarding has been a timely talking point in the news) to the vague presidential executive powers that condone such risky techniques certainly provides potent and divisive fodder for contemplation. Remarkably, Taxi is a fitting companion piece to the dynamic No End in Sight which elaborated on the emotional manipulation of America entering the Iraqi war (under false pretenses and unprepared that some would claim with amazement) in the wake of 9/11 disdain and disillusionment.

However sensationalistic, sanctimonious, disarming, undermining, exploitative or observational that Gibney conveys with his forceful exposition, Taxi is one invigorating fare to collect from courtesy of its glib look at piercing political shenanigans. The disenfranchisement of some vocal and concerned critics that contradict the uplifting vibes of others that are willing apologists for such degradation at the expense of U.S. national security makes for a compelling and comprehensive tug-of-war. In a nutshell, simple truths make for deceptive, complex lies.

Provocative and polarizing, Taxi to the Dark Side invites us to eavesdrop on a movement of mistrust and mischievous mayhem and challenges us to try and separate the real enemy at hand. Guess what...good luck in solving this mystery that assuredly won’t have a mutual ending anytime soon. War and humanity—not exactly the innocuous mixed pair oil and water purports to be in the trivial aspect of things to ponder, huh?

Frank rates this film: **** stars (out of 4 stars)

All Reviews by Frank Ochieng [Home page]
If you are the author of this review, you may edit it by signing in.