Producers: Bill Block, Paul Hanson, Adam Merims

Director: Richard Shepard

Story: Richard Shepard based on Scott Anderson’s Esquire article “What I Did On My Summer Vacation”

Stars: Richard Gere , Terrence Howard , Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ivanir , Goran Kostic

CREATIVE QUOTIENT
Simon Hunt ( Richard Gere), a star new anchor has had enough in the Bosnian field. After years spent covering the atrocities of war with fearless cameraman Duck (Terrence Howard) in tow, Hunt lets his wearied emotions get the better of him during a live segment and stays back. His disappearance remains a mystery. Flash forward a few years. Duck, who narrates the opening salvos of the film, has accepted a cushy job at the network. He returns to Bosnia to film a puff-piece on a fruitless peace treaty and stumbles upon Hunt — a desperate freelancer who is hungry for a story big enough to propel him back to the realm of credibility. Through a tip, he has located The Fox (Ljubomir Kerekes), Bosnia’s chief war criminal and the source of a $5 million bounty. Hunt wants to capture him, and he convinces Duck to come along for the ride.

Director Shephard takes the audience through the bumpy, action-filled ride where Hunt and Duck re-live their past assignments and also court danger. We soon know why Hunt broke down and why it was important to capture The Fox. So when they do, they don’t hand him over to the UN or the US government, but turn him loose – beaten, weary and hands tied - in a Muslim-dominated village for the villagers to mete out justice.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
Richard Sheppard’s screenplay is based on Scott Anderson’s article “What I Did On My Summer Vacation” which appeared in Esquire magazine. Shephard shapes it into an action thriller with some dark comedy sprinkled in to offset the grim subject. Additionally the stylish visuals have helped the film to be acceptable. However the interminable journey across the country sets a tedious pace and slows down the film considerably. The film is saved by performances which are competent, with Richard Gere putting in an remarkable performance. It’s no roses-and-wine role, but even as the cynical journalist the ever-dependable Gere pulls off a coup. He is well-matched by the talented Terrence Howard.