The Hunting Party

Richard Shepard's new film The Hunting Party is based on a true story. And quite a story it is.

Simon (Richard Gere) and Duck (Terrence Howard) are two journalists who cover the news in many hot spots around the world. They have won awards for their work and enjoy what they are doing (even though some of the locales are quite dangerous). But one day while on assignment in Bosnia Simon freaks out while reporting on the air. He gets fired and spends the next few years going from job to job and having financial difficulties. In the meantime, Duck lands a cushy job working for a well known television anchor (James Brolin).

Simon's and Duck's paths cross again when they meet up in Sarajevo. Simon says he has big news - he knows where the war criminal known as the Fox is hiding. He knows that Duck is a bit bored with his job and craves this kind of excitement (and he sure does). What follows is a dangerous and fascinating road trip up and down Bosnia looking for this thug. Joining them on the trip is the young journalism school graduate Benjamin (Jessie Eisenberg). His father is the head of the network that Duck works for. I won't say more about the plot but I will say that I learned a number of things about how governments "can't" find people who commit crimes against humanity (think Osam Bin Laden). And we also find out why Simon freaked out while he was on live television.

Shepard's writing and direction are intelligent. I don't understand why this film isn't getting more attention. Well, that happens to a lot of good films. Gere's performance is terrific - he is a very underrated actor (check him out in The Hoax which came out earlier this year). And Howard is proving himself to be an actor who grows with each new role. I recommend this film and do hope that it finds an audience. But if you can't see it on the big screen do catch it when it comes out on DVD.