The story takes place switching back and forth between two time periods. In 2002, Ray Kasten (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and Jessica Cobb (Julia Roberts) are investigators in L.A. Claire Sloane (Nicole Kidman) is the new lawyer in the D.A.'s office. D.A. Martin Morales (Alfred Molina) is obsessed with uncovering a plot in a mosque under investigation. Jessica's murdered daughter Carolyn is found near the mosque. Ray quickly zeroes in on car thief Marzin who turns out to be the confidential informer inside the mosque. Ray finds Morales blocking his effort. Thirty years after the case somehow got buried, Ray returns claiming to have found Marzin by visually checking each inmate and that Marzin has just recently let out of prison. He asks Claire who is now the D.A. to reopen the case.
This is an adaptation of an Argentinian Oscar winner. Most criticism seems to indicate that this is too much the same as the original. While I cannot forget the memorable ending of the original, I think it's a mistake to punish this movie for repeating it. There are also plenty of changes from the original. The addition of the 9/11 paranoia is very compelling and logical. Putting Julia Roberts inside the investigation has the advantage of showcasing her in a strip-down unglamorous performance. This movie has great actors doing good work. I would like more compelling evidence against Marzin during the original investigation. The interrogation results in him blurting out "what she got" but that's not really enough. He needs to lay out the whole case for it to be convincing. Some may prefer more ambivalence in his guilt but I think this movie needs it to be more decisive. There are also convenient moments like Ray catching Marzin in a Dodgers game. The story is not perfect but I really like the actors.
