Like its protagonist, the movie Traitor exists with conflicting loyalties and a fleeting sense of fidelity to its honorable, yet ultimately porous, intentions. The Don Cheadle-headed action/thriller, co-written by comedian/playwright Steve Martin and director Jeffrey Nachmanoff, inelegantly attempts to combine cardboard, blockbuster plot mechanics with the important, philosophical musings of a complicated post 9-11 world.

If anything, this mainstream movie should be commended for having a practicing, religious, African American Muslim as its hero – one portrayed by a major Hollywood celebrity, no less. Unfortunately, both due to the plot constraints of the movie and today's geo-political realities, this character must reactively and proactively define himself though his actions within yet another "us vs. them" narrative. As such, the quest for a multi-faceted, dynamic Muslim character that is neither a terrorist nor a cab driver continues.

The Muslim and titular traitor in question is Samir Horn (Don Cheadle), a Sudanese born, American agent so deep undercover as an Islamic extremist bomb maker that only one government supervisor (Jeff Daniels in a cameo role) knows his true identity. He infiltrates the ranks of an radical movement headed by the mysterious "Nathir," a terrorist group hell bent on striking against infidels (basically, everyone but them). Their mission? To activate sleeper agents - seemingly ordinary Americans but in reality (gasp!) heartless Muslim terrorists - and carry out massive, simultaneous suicide bombings on 50 separate buses.

Is Samir driven by his loyalties to his "brothers" in Islam and so thoroughly entrenched in his covert identity that he will carry out the attacks? Or, will he be loyal to an American government which is simultaneously pursuing him as a high priority terrorist and is also complicit in racial profiling and violence towards the Muslim world?

These timely questions could make for an introspective and layered movie that resonates with the fears and hopes of an international audience. Unfortunately, the filmmakers - or perhaps their Hollywood producers - jettison these aspects of the movie for a streamlined "catch the terrorists before they blow us up" plot that was already beaten to death by Showtime's Sleeper Cell and every single season of Fox's 24.

Although Traitor aims for a The Departed meets Paradise Lost setup, it fails to work as both a cat-and-mouse thriller and a reflective identity drama. Cheadle underplays his role with a somber anguish that emphasizes Samir's turmoil as he falls rapidly into his role as bomb maker and jihadi recruiter. But an actor can only work with the solid, creative foundation that a director and a script can provide.

The characters in the movie, particularly Muslim ones, become less human as the film progresses and morph into Wikipedia sound bites. You know the type too well: characters who randomly and unrealistically interrupt their speeches with info-tainment, such as explanations of jihad, translations of Quran verses, botched Islamic prayers and inopportune vernacular. This is Hollywood's casual way of placating a skeptical, progressive audience. "See! We did our homework and rented some Muslim advisors! We know all about Quran and hadith and sunnah! Right? Great! Now let's show Muslims blow up stuff!"

One of Traitor's tragic flaws is Hollywood's century old myopia, placing a shining minority citizen amidst a sea of his depraved brethren. The "Good Darkie" then battles for the souls and minds of the the "Evil Darkies." Cheadle's Samir is a devout Muslim whose religious discipline is displayed continuously and even admired by other characters. He prays five times a day, he fasts, he abstains from alcohol, and so forth. Meanwhile, every other Muslim character seems transplanted from dated 80's action movies and True Lies.

You have the English speaking, well-coiffed terrorist who poses as an elite aristocrat in Europe, but whose sole purpose is the destruction of the infidels. Then there are the terrorist henchmen, a classic Hollywood staple, consisting of a United Nations coalition of mute, scary looking Middle Eastern, Persian and South Asian men. A young, good-looking French kid eagerly and quickly embraces the jihadi cause after a clichéd and uninspiring recruitment speech. And another major supporting character, Omar (played by perennial "go-to terrorist actor" Said Taghmaoui), is a European educated, chess-loving jihadist, who Samir befriends in Yemen.

The beginning of the movie, which focuses on Samir and Omar's friendship while both are doing hard time in a Yemeni prison - shows glimpses of what could have been before the movie became buried under an avalanche of clichés. Omar and Samir discuss theology and spirituality, bouncing off each other's philosophical outlook on life, all while playing chess. They are excellent foils for one another and the movie has fleeting scenes building on their friendship, even though it is eventually uprooted by Samir's betrayal. Instead, Omar becomes yet another substitute terrorist plot device as the movie lapses into "Muslim Bourne Identity" territory.

Speaking of foils, talented actor Guy Pearce portrays an FBI agent named Clayton, who is hot on Samir's trail. In an attempt to show balance, the filmmakers portray Clayton as a Texan (one with a really bad Southern accent), and a highly educated son of a Baptist preacher who studied Arabic and religious studies in college. Aside from giving the movie its necessary cop-who-hunts-terrorist role, Clayton is also a metaphor for the tolerant American who is willing to see beyond race and religion. Clayton's nemesis is his partner Archer, a Dirty Harry, shoot-first-ask-questions-later FBI agent, who lacks cultural awareness and appreciation for the nuances of Islamic traditions.

This is all well intended, but characters need to be independent, living creations, not just convenient messages. When Archer says or does something politically incorrect, Clayton calmly educates him. When Archer lambastes Islam as a religion of terrorism, Clayton reminds him that the Klu Klux Klan rationalized their abhorrent behavior with the Bible and that extremist minorities don't define a religion. And then they continue with the stereotypical plot, hunting down enraged Muslim terrorists. The message of the film is lost due to its inability to define its good intentions with realistic characters and meaningful dialogue, substituted instead with tense chase sequences.

This point is highlighted by the film's most egregious and unintentional characterization: the depiction of the sleeper agents. For a movie that tries to have its tolerance cake and blow it up as well, the filmmakers dangerously depict an America that is heavily infiltrated with assimilated Muslim American citizens who, at the drop of a dime, are ready to carry out suicide terrorist missions. From a South Asian government official to an unassuming, light-skinned college student to an Arab husband and father to an African-American businessman – all magically jettison their lives, careers and loved ones as soon as "Nathir" contacts them for a mission.

For those in America ignorant about Islam and Muslims, it reinforces a paranoia and mistrust, making it seem like your harmless Muslim neighbors, teachers, friends and lovers are all [cue drum roll and melodramatic music] terrorists!

The film's supporters will likely argue that the sophisticated characterization of Cheadle's Samir counteracts this evil. But is Samir the shining Muslim definitive of the moderate majority, or merely an aberration that exists within the confines of a Hollywood narrative? Traitor aims for the former but unintentionally delivers the latter. Much like the character Samir, it loses itself in an unfulfilling dual identity, one that betrays its noble intentions and refuses to fully commit to its convictions - either as a mindless action thriller or a thought provoking drama.

"Traitor" opens in wide release in the US on Friday, August 29th, and internationally beginning in October.

"Is Samir driven by his loyalties to his "brothers" in Islam and so thoroughly entrenched in his covert identity that he will carry out the attacks? Or, will he be loyal to an American government which is simultaneously pursuing him as a high priority terrorist and is also complicit in racial profiling and violence towards the Muslim world?"
Wonder why there was not an option for Samir to be loyal to ISLAM itself, and remember that no terrorist is a Muslim and no Muslim is a terrorist.
There comes a time in a Muslim's life when they have to, or will have to, choose between Islam and members of the ummah.
Guess I have another movie to not go see this weekend. When will Holywood start making GOOD movies again?

When will Holywood start making GOOD movies again?>>>>

When people are educated again enough to find interest in things other than "trivial pursuits." I have long ago given up on Follywood. Get a Netflix account and start renting some of the hundreds of amazing Iranian films they carry, with English subtitles for us whities. And there are some other wonderful delicasies out there too in the film world. Try Nacer Khemir's "Desert trilogy." They are absolutely delightful. And the latest instalkment in this trilogy, Bab 'Aziz: The Prince Who Contemplated His Soul is in limited circulation around the US right now but more than worth the effort to find it. The soundtrack is pretty amazing too.

Are Muslims everywhere going to completely ignore the presidential elections?
What about all of the screaming when those girls got escorted away from the podium at that Obama event?
About being sidelined and ignored?
No one has to sideline Muslims, they are doing it to themselves.

Are Muslims everywhere going to completely ignore the presidential elections?>>>>

What makes you suggest they are ignoring it? Although it's outside of the US, Gulf News has been having a lot of coverage on it, including this latest Palin thing.

Well, one thing I guess would be that the source you gave is getting most of it's news from american reporters, which I already read.
I mean american muslims or muslim americans or whatever is pc this week-

Muslims in the US just arent interested. And since it's a US election, and coming up fast- it seems people would have taken some kind of notice.

I go to several muslim blogs- and there just isn't a word.

I figured that this one would at least mention the subject.
I checked out The Gulf- but my own priorities as a working class american don't jibe with alot of Israeli-centered punditry.

O well, thanks for the info. Don't mind me, I'm a political junkie-

I go to several muslim blogs- and there just isn't a word.>>>

I suspect a lot of Muslims, American and otherwise (and I certainly can't speak for all) but I suspect a lot of people don't believe these elections are going to mean a lot, unless of course McCain gets in, and then even the last pretenses will be dropped. The political machine of the US, as truly nothing more than the military arm of a global conglomerate of corporations, is in place and there isn't really anything that can change that. Certainly not Obama, despite all the lovely rhetoric to the contrary. Even if he wanted to, he will find that the juggernaught is running as its creators planned and the American presidency is nothing more than a carbon copy of the British crown. A media figurehead. And the corporations are already abandoning the sinking ship and are focusing more on the new prey in developing worlds and abandoning the carcass they have already picked dry in the US. I think what is getting so many people on board and interested in this election is the common man appeal of a lot of the speech surrounding the election. People are following it in the same way they followed the Rosie O'Donnell and Donald Trump screaming matches: in order to see who becomes more crass. The professionalism has gone completely out of American politics and it has become a media entertainment event and is designed and marketed around the interests and education level of its largest audience base. I think this is why people either are or are not riveted by these proceedings.

It seems to have been that way my whole life- you'll find no disagreeemnt here!
RAMADAN MUBARAK

But just because I agree with some things, doesn't mean I agree with your assessment of the political climate in America.
To say that it is all corporate controlled and the amercians are all apathetic to the process is a very broad overstatement- and I've seen alot of elections and I can't insult my fellow americans nor excuse overwhelming disinterest by muslims either.

There are a great many really energized people in this election, I am one of them.
I am really disappointed that Muslims enjoy the benefits of living in America- but take none of the political repsonsiblity.
Saying that there is no use in trying is a very weak reason not to care. (Not you personally-)

Hmmm, I have to check out this movie. I hope it's out after Ramadan...

BTW, I must steal the line "neither a terrorist nor a saint"

@MRS.A, I'm a Muslim and I have a blog but I get enough election coverage from other blogs that I read. I don't feel compelled to reinvent the wheel. Aside from that, I don't have much confidence or faith in politicans. I believe they will say, do and promise anything in order to win. Once they win that is when you'll REALLY see their true colors.

I don't think it's a confidence in politicians that motivates me to engage- but a confidence or at least, interest, in the process iself.
I don't want to be a passive voter, and wait for them to 'show their true colors', but try to discuss and debate the polcies, and histories of the candidates, and match up their already evident past behaviors and records-
It takes effort, and work- but I don't feel right adding to the chorus of complaint that inevitably arises after the fact.

I saw numerous and vocal complaints- these boards are filled with them- against bush, foregin policy etc...

Well, in 2000- I was very active and frankly very appalled at the muslims as a bloc voting for Bush.

Who can the Muslims blame if the admin changes but the same foreign policies draw us into a war in Iran- how can Muslims sit idly and complacently by when the forces that shape such policies are fighting each other for dominance right now?

I have been a Muslim for 10 years, neither marrying into it- nor coming to Islam through muslims- and I am seriously questioning the decision I made based upon the lack of interest, compassion , and desire to contribute to society by muslims even for other Muslims.

That is the truth. I am starting to think that, maybe the religion actually IS the people who practice it- and I am very disappointed.

Not because of politics- although that is an indication of the great apathy-
mostly through recurring and futile efforts to encourage Muslims to take care of their own, and work on building social services for their own homeless, and abused, and poor brothers and sisters.

I feel like such efforts are, to borrow your phrase, reinventing a wheel that is already been built into a smoothly running car elsewhere.

If I feel this disheartened after the first (and always hardest) day of fasting in Ramadan- my expectations and bar are being continually lowered.
Then I don't see much desire for improvement, or evidence of it-for myself, and the ummah.

have been a Muslim for 10 years, neither marrying into it- nor coming to Islam through muslims- and I am seriously questioning the decision I made based upon the lack of interest, compassion , and desire to contribute to society by muslims even for other Muslims.z...

Mrs. A. I too came to Islam not through marriage or personal alliances. But for me, I found a deep and profound connection, as though the entire inner machine of my being found it's proper fuel. And I had examined and studied many religions. But, and I don't believe this is cynical, the majority of people of all religions, races, creeds, nationalities, and political affiliations, are only nominally involved and committed and their affiliation comes to reflect other interests, concerns, motives etc. Would you lose faith in a gymnasium if you percieved all the other people at the gym were fooling around, not really working out etc? Probably not, so long as you were getting personal results that were meaningful to you. If you weren't, then you might find yourself coming up with all kinds of reasons to start shopping around. Perhaps it is a test of faith for you to examine and get back to the roots of your conversion to Islam. What better time than Ramadan? Thi is how I am using this season. Dusting everything off and reexamining myself and my fulfillment of the spiritual committments I have made. Sometimes such questions as you pose arise from losing touch with such roots. Andsometimes those roots need to be cleared of crabgrass, watered, and given a litle extra nourishment. Not suggesting anything MrsA, just ruminating. :)

If I feel this disheartened after the first (and always hardest) day of fasting in Ramadan->>>

water is one of the central mysteries of Ramadan, even more than food, I think. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. It minimizes fatigue. Although I mist admit, it's no picnic getting up and slamming a massive amount of water, but I find I have to. It makes all the difference in the world for me.

Mrs.A, I was not saying that I am not involved in the process. I'm very aware of where the candidates stand on various issues and I keep track of what's happening. HOWEVER, I'm not interested in blogging about the elections for the reasons I stated. That is what I mean. Please don't mistake my PERSONAL disinterest in politics as representative of all Muslims as or as my lack of involvment in society. I am very involved in my community but there are different ways to be involved aren't there? It's not just in the political arena.

I think it's unfair to say that Muslims, in general, are not interested in contributing to society. I know plenty who are involved in social justice and other movements. I happen to live in a city where there is a Muslim social services agency that primairly operates through volunteers. I've also been working with a non-profit organization that serves Muslim women who have been victims of domestic abuse. The masjid I attend has a food shelf that serves both Muslims and non-Muslims. So, there are Muslims making valuable contributions to society.

Secondly, I don't just vote as a Muslim nor is the Muslim community my only community. I'm also African-American, West Indian and a woman. I'm looking at the issues that affect Black women and the Black community...(BTW, I'm also a convert to Islam. I came to Islam the same way you did- not through marriage and not through Muslims. I've been Muslim 16 years, alhamdulillah).

Lastly, I think "certain Muslims" voted for Bush. (Namely wealthy or upper class immigrant Muslims). I'm a registered independent so I certainly wasn't part of that voting bloc...

Thanks for the input ladies, I've beem very vocal on these boards asking for opportunities for volunteer work for msulims by muslims-

Ive been volunteering and overseeing for some 30 years now- and the thing is- it came to a standstill when I became Muslim.
I asked and asked on these boards and everyone says thing similar to Samah- but when I ask and investigate- I find that these grouls are offshoots of already extant social services offered by the state-

In Chicago, I had to work for christians- because, even though there are groups- like Apna Ghar Hammad House (i thik it's called?) wth big budgets and paid staffs- there are no women actually being helped with their services-

Social orgs- all refer one to govet orgs-

I worked in a shelter for abused women and children for a year (christian) 250 to 300-

So hook me up Samah- which city are you in and what is the naem of your org?
I have been networking and trying for years in the muslim community to find real services for just the women you mention-

I never had this experience with Hindus, and Buddhists, and christians- all of whom I've done substantial work with.

Thanks for the advice Akenanubis- it's a constant process.

O, for the muslims- they were actually telling the people to vote for Bush in the lobbies- people just had no idea- they equated social conservatism with muslim values.

You've both hydrated my soul too :)

Mrs.A:

Islamic Relief & Social Srvices
2525 Franklin Ave S.,
Minneapolis, MN 55406, USA
Phone: 612-343-4345
Fax: 612-343-4346
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Sisters Need A Place (SNAP)
3315 - 2nd Street North,
Minneapolis, MN 55412, USA
Phone: 651 341 6486
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

AL-WAFAA Center for Human Services
3315 - 2nd Street North,
Minneapolis, MN 55412, USA
Phone: 763-242-9046
Fax: 612-588-9734
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
URL: http://www.al-wafaa.org

The Building Blocks Of Islam
2534 Central Ave. NE,
Minneapolis, MN 55418, USA
Phone: 612-789-9227
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
URL: http://www.thebuildingblocks.org

MRS.A, don't feel disheartened. I'm a convert too (from Pittsburgh no less as I think we talked about long ago?). There are people doing good deeds, but thier good deeds will never change the conditions of the ummah overnight, nor even in generations.

Think of it like this: we have 1.3 billion Muslims, give or take a coupole hundred million here or there. Multiply that by the number of every nation-state on Earth, then multiply it by all the languages Muslims speak, then again by thier ecological situations, then again by thier professions, multiply again by the socio-economic classes Muslims are in, then by all the numerous ethnicities. We should be up to a couple trillion combinations by now. The scale should be unimaginable, which is why I ceased long ago to try it. And, even then the condition of this "ummah" is very different now than it was 10 minutes ago. How to manage? how to know where to start? Try starting in your community first.

If you die decades from now and can see how you contributed to the positive changes in your own local Muslim community, then you've done more than 99.9% of Muslims have ever done in history. And, you would have made a tangible difference in the lives of a few people, but people nonetheless. And that's a good thing! Think local and screw the global, because you can't change the global let alone have even mediocre data about the full picture of the global needed to act efficiently. Efficiency of action resides at the local level. at the local level!

>> I'm a convert too (from Pittsburgh no less as I think we talked about long ago?). There are people doing good deeds, but thier good deeds will never change the conditions of the ummah overnight, nor even in generations.

http://www.awqafsa.org.za/library_&_resources.htm

When former colonialists sought to replace Muslim civil society structures with their own "better" western models, a process of nationalisation of former communtiy Waqf took place. Before this Muslim communities were capable of independently providing health, education and housing for themselves. The level of Islamic institution that developed out of Sadaqah Jaariya in Muslim communities was phenomenal. It took centuries to develop. My point ~ We need developed institutions for a developed society. These "big picture" civil action groups are getting better and better. Musharaka Bonds, Awqaf, Muslim Human Rights groups, Zakaah institutions, Islamic Financing, Educational funds ... innovative Islamic solutions slowly building up Islamic institution with new western tools.

>> I have been a Muslim for 10 years, neither marrying into it- nor coming to Islam through muslims.<<

Ha ha hah ah ha. A sign of Mrs.A.'s racism right there. *Bing, bing, bing*. That somehow, because she did not come to Islam thru marriage or other Muslims, she is somehow superior in her Islam to those who did.

Only to get poopoo thrown right in her face by the discovery of several other women who are the same, meaning she is not that "rare pearl" that she thinks she is. Tch, tch, tch.

Ha ha hah ah ha. A sign of Mrs.A.'s racism right there. *Bing, bing, bing*. That somehow, because she did not come to Islam thru marriage or other Muslims, she is somehow superior in her Islam to those who did. >>>>

Let's not read too much into that comment. Over the years, I'd say 97% of the time I have told people I was Muslim the very next question out of their mouth was, "Oh, are you married to an Arab?" Not married to a persian, Pakistani, Afghan or anything else. And it was always Muslims who asked this question. I never really assigned anything negative to the question but the questioners always seemed to find it odd. I bever used to get that question back in the 70's when I first came to Islam. All the Arabs and Persians I knew seemed to think it was pretty normal. But in more recent years, people, particularly Muslim women, seem to find it dumbfounding why a woman would convert to Islam because of Islam instead of being assigned to it automatically because of a marriage. I think that is what's pretty fascinating. Racism has nothing to do with it. However, what I have noticed in charges of racism in a variety of communities, is that it's not so much racism as classism. Highly educated Muslims from around the world never ask me why I am a Muslim, they know. More provincial people who have a very different experience of Islam themselves, just can't see it.