Telluride 2014: Jon Stewart's "Rosewater" Is a Fine First Film, But That's About It

Now, I don't mean to diminish Bahari's experiences, which I am confident would have broken me on day two. I only mean to say that in movie form (or at least in the form of this movie), his story falls into a familiar genre of stolid, reputable films that shine a light on the truth, are duly praised and gravely nodded at, and then forgotten. As history, it's important. As a movie, not so much. 

"Obligatory" is how a lot of it feels, actually. Stewart's sincerity isn't in question, and he acquits himself better than a lot of first-time directors do. But despite his good intentions, and despite Garcia Bernal's earnest performance, Stewart (who also wrote the screenplay) can't find a way to make the story connect on an emotional level.