During a summit on terrorism in Spain, eight strangers have a unique vantage point of an attempted assassination. But which vantage point is in on the conspiracy?
Eight People, Eight Different Points of View
From start to finish, Vantage Point is thrilling, fresh and a substantial feature debut by director Pete Travis. It’s an in your face thriller interspersed with human drama. Told from the point of view (P.O.V.) of eight strangers, Vantage Point rewinds the events leading to the attempted assassination of an American president. The story begins in Salamanca, Spain at an eagerly anticipated summit on global terrorism between the U.S. and five other nations. Against this backdrop is a fever pitched crowd of reporters, citizens and angry protesters denouncing the war and the arrival of President Ashton (William Hurt). Each person’s point of view plays back in real time to the crucial 23 minutes that occurred before and after the shooting. Barry L. Levy’s first produced screenplay weaves an intricate story, and with an ensemble cast that includes Hollywood heavyweights like Dennis Quaid, Forest Whitaker, Sigourney Weaver and William Hurt, Vantage Point pulls no punches.
11:59 A.M. Secret Service Agent Barnes P.O.V
Agent Barnes (Dennis Quaid) is a little shell-shocked after taking a bullet for the president 6 months ago. His partner, Agent Taylor (Matthew Fox) gets him back on the president’s detail and away he goes. Standing on the podium, near the president, Barnes is a bit restless and eyes suspicious movement in an adjacent hotel room that should be empty. He is hesitant, but finally calls for control to check the room. He’s too late. The president is shot and pandemonium breaks out around him. In the confusion, Enrique, a plain clothes Salamanca cop (Eduardo Noriega) frantically runs up to the podium and gets stopped by Barnes. Bewildered, the cop disappears into the stunned crowd and instinct takes Barnes to the mobile media car where he views videotape of the area. He sees something he shouldn’t.
11:59 A.M Enrique's P.O.V
Enrique’s job is to protect the governor of Salamanca. However, his thoughts are distracted by his girlfriend who is holding a secret. After President Ashton is shot, he immediately advances onto the podium, but is stopped by Agent Barnes who thinks he’s part of the assassination plot. Enrique breaks free and runs through the streets of Spain, and the double-cross begins...
11:59 A.M. Howard Lewis P.O.V.
Howard Lewis (Forest Whitaker) is on vacation and taking a break from the wife and kids. He’s a typical tourist with a camcorder, but runs into the unexpected when he witnesses the same unusual activity in the adjacent hotel room as Barnes. Before the president is shot, he carries on a conversation with a man (Said Taghmaqui) key to the events surrounding the president’s shooting. After the president is shot, a bomb goes off nearby and a little girl’s mother goes missing in the blast. Lewis tries to help the girl, but witnesses startling revelations that could endanger his life.
There are five more characters with P.O.V’s that will turn this story on its head. The film has incredible pacing and will ultimately reveal a wide spread conspiracy involving central characters. The rest of the ensemble cast includes strong performances from Edgar Ramirez, Mathew Fox, Said Taghmaqui and Ayelet Zurer.
Vantage Point is an enthralling ride with steady cam shots and dizzying car chases that will keep your pulse rate high, even after the film is finished.
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