A Private War

Rosamund Pike, Jaime Dornan,

Tom Hollander

"The most Powerful Weapon is the Truth"

War correspondents are brave individuals who enter into dangerous, war raging places to give us news stories straight from the battle scenes. Risking everything even their lives to show us the horrors of war. Raw, disturbing images/videos of the brutality which despots inflict on their citizens, ruining their countries for ages.

Marie Colvin (Rosamund Pike) was a fearless Foreign Affairs correspondent for the Sunday Times. She reported from war torn areas to show us what it was really like, to give the disenfranchised, a voice. She was dedicated to her career even losing an eye when she was hit by a grenade while covering the civil war in Sri Lanka. But this setback did not deter her, even donning an eye patch while on coverage in different combat zones, all over the world.

But all that bravery came to an end in 2012 in Homs, Syria. Relentless bombing rocked the Syrian city, she perished when the building they (along with her photographer Paul Conroy, who survived) were in was hit by a bomb blast. It has been reported that the Syrian army specifically targeted her because she kept reporting about the brutality during the Arab Spring.

The movie is filled with war zones scenes as well as 'quieter' moments where Colvin is recovering from her injury. It also shows her being haunted with nightmares as she was suffering from PTSD. 

Rosamund Pike is brilliant in her characterization of the larger than life correspondent. From her physical appearance (wavy blond hair, black eye patch) to her inner turmoil, witnessing all these traumatic war experiences. These are manifested by her, being a heavy drinker, chain smoking and also having tempestuous relationships. 

"A Private War" provides a glimpse into the work and life of an interesting, colorful and very brave soul named Marie Colvin. She provided a voice for the numerous hapless victims of conflicts. Excellent acting by Rosamund Pike is the only saving grace for this average movie.