An Acceptable Loss 2018

     Elizabeth “Libby" Lamm is a former top U.S. security adviser.  Libby’s current problem is that associates from her past including President Rachel Burke are threatening her.  Rachel Burke is a steely, commanding politician with a knack for achieving her goals.  Helping Rachel is Adrian and he is an unyielding and patriotic chief of staff.  Martin and Libby were more than friends but that relationship doesn’t exist anymore.  Libby is now working as an adjunct professor of foreign policy at Grant University. Rachel and Adrian’s biggest fear is that Libby may be writing a book about the Homs, a attack on Syria approved by the previous President.  Intel believes five leaders of the most dangerous terrorist groups in the word plus a nuclear scientist will be meeting together in Homs.  An atomic bomb was sent to target this area by the United States and collateral damage included 150,000 civilians. 

     Martin Sali is a graduate student at Grant University.  His parents and his siblings were killed in the nuclear strike.  Martin is determined to find out as much as he can about Libby.  He wants to understand “the face of evil” that killed his family.  Libby asks him to read her notepads with all the true information about the Homs incident.  Libby knows there will be a mental and physical backlash from the President and Adrian if they suspect her story may be published.  There is a lot of intrigue and suspense in this film!!  Complaints by critic are the cast is strong with a weak script, thrives on pulpy thrills, resembles TV fare, lacks style and substance and some scenes are flabbily written.  3 ½* (I liked this movie)             

102 min, Drama directed and written by Joe Chappelle with Tika Sumpter, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ben Tavassoli, Jeff Hephner, Deanna Dunagan, Alex Weisman, Ali Burch, Clarke Peters, David Eigenberg, Alysia Reiner, Rex Linn, Carmen Roman, Henry Godinez, Tim Hopper, Rashaad Hall.

Note:  Imdb 4.9 out of 10, Roger Ebert 1 ½* Tomris Laffly, Rotten Tomatoes 13% critic 90% audience, Slant Magazine Wes Greene 2 ½* out of 4*, Common Sense Media Jeffrey M. Anderson age 15+ 2* out of 5*, 1* positive messages, 3* violence, 4* sex, 4* language, Metacritic 40 out of 100 with 11 critics.

Special Note:  Filmed in Chicago, Illinois.  Joe Chappelle also directed Halloween 6: The Curse of Michael Myers 1995 and Jamie Le Curtis starred in the original film Halloween 1978.