Rendition (15) The practice of extraordinary rendition has hit the headlines in the last few years and the controversial practice is shrouded in mystery and fear.

Rendition, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Meryl Streep and Reese Witherspoon joined a few films which examined the Iraq conflict and its aftermath, but did badly at the American box office.

Director Gavin Hood skilfully intertwines the story of two families on two continents affected by the extraordinary rendition of an Egyptian-born chemical engineer, Anwar El-Ibrahimi, whose return to America coincides with a terrorist attack in an unnamed north African city, which kills an American CIA agent.

Anwar, played by Omar Metwally, is transported to a grim prison overseen by the terrifying figure of Abasi Fawal, who, it later transpires, has his own traumatic link to the terrorists.

Towards the end of the film his family are drawn into the drama in a most unexpected way, thanks to the superb writing of Kelley Sane.

Rookie CIA analyst, Douglas Freeman (Jake Gyllenhaal) is thrown in over his head when he has to observe the interrogation and torture of Anwar.

Gyllenhaal is brilliant as the sullen and understated agent. His disgust at what is unfolding before him is obvious without any need for histrionics and overacting.

His terrifying boss, played to perfection by Meryl Streep has no time for his concerns and appears to have few of her own.

The action cuts back and forth between north Africa and Washington, where Anwar's heavily pregnant wife, Isabella (Reese Witherspoon) searches for answers as to why her husband never returned home.

While the film has its good points, it leaves more questions than answers and some of the tougher issues seem to have been overlooked all together.

Despite that it really is worth a watch.

RATING: **** Katy Woodhouse