Film Review: ‘The Covenant’- Guy Ritchie delivers a gripping and emotional war movie with heart and soul

DUBAI: Guy Ritchie‘s latest film, “The Covenant,” set in the murky Afghanistan conflict, is a gripping and moving war movie. It smartly focuses on two men: U.S. Army Sgt. John Kinley (Jake Gyllenhaal) and his Afghan interpreter Ahmed (Dar Salim). Although the film is fictional, it depicts what many people involved in the war experienced, particularly the interpreters who were promised visas for themselves and their families to start a new life in the United States.

Kinley and Ahmed meet after the previous interpreter for Kinley’s platoon was killed in action. The two men have a bit of a cat-and-mouse game during the initial interview, but they soon realize they have much in common, particularly their families. Ahmed’s son was murdered by the Taliban, and his wife is pregnant. He wants to turn against the Taliban to get a chance at a new life. Meanwhile, Kinley FaceTimes his wife and two young kids, hoping to return home after the latest tour of duty.

The first 45 minutes of the film find Kinley and Ahmed on the hunt for IEDs and door-to-door in dangerous situations. Ahmed is key to obtaining valuable information and helping as things get intense on the battlefield. Eventually, the two men are on the run together and fall into an ambush. Kinley is severely injured, and Ahmed finds ways to keep him alive while dragging him on a stretcher across the country to safety.

The film becomes highly emotional, particularly for Kinley, who returns home, recovering from near death and knowing that he is still alive solely because of Ahmed. Meanwhile, Ahmed is in hiding in Afghanistan, and the promise made for visas is never fulfilled. For Kinley, it becomes a new war to do everything possible to find Ahmed and make things right. When the bureaucracy fails him, Kinley takes it upon himself to return and, in disguise, locate Ahmed and get him to America.

Jake Gyllenhaal delivers an excellent performance as the veteran Army sergeant with a sterling reputation, and Dar Salim is authentic and riveting as Ahmed, a man used to being betrayed but still willing to trust one more time. The supporting cast, including Jonny Lee Miller and Antony Starr, is also outstanding.

Guy Ritchie’s direction is on point, and his collaboration with screenwriters Ivan Atkinson and Marn Davies creates a mature and promising film that goes beyond his usual cinematic tricks. “The Covenant” is a must-watch for anyone who loves war movies with heart and soul.