Professor Popinjay's Compendium of Perspicacity

A Non-review by Professor Popinjay

(2016)

I went into this film expecting a comedy. I assumed it was a movie about drinking and ballroom dancing. Imagine my disappointment. Naturally, it did have some humor here and there as any good script does. But this is by no means a comedy.

Actually, I found it very educational. For one thing, I learned Whiskey Tango Foxtrot is how you spell WTF in the military. Of course, I’m sure most of you know, WTF is abbreviated text message speak for William the First, aka William the Conqueror, first Norman king of England. I’m not sure how the title relates to this movie, however. I’m not a huge history buff. Nevertheless, be warned. If your kids are texting WTF back and forth, they may be planning to invade England and overthrow Harold the Second. It’s the year 1066, do you know where your children are?

Another thing I learned is this film has nothing to do with William the First. I learned this thanks to my then fiancée (now wife) who IS a history buff, and a teacher, AND she spent considerable time teaching in Afghanistan. Her insights to the culture and difficulties women have over there enabled me to see this film with a unique understanding.

I would compare WTF to the film Jarhead (2005) a bit. I hate hate hated Jarhead. But I also understood what it was trying to do: present the frustratingly futile involvement of a soldier in the midst of increasingly technology-dependent modern warfare. Again, it was educational and, likely, an important message to someone, but I would not consider it entertainment per sé. I can’t believe sequels were made to Jarhead. What, did they discover new and exciting exercises in frustrating futility? Fun!

WTF follows Kim Baker (Tina Fey), an American journalist as she reports on matters in Kabul, Afghanistan. Her small Afghan crew struggles to balance their own safety with Baker’s diligent but sometimes foolhardy ambition as she forces her way behind the scenes of local government to get the scoop on scandal and political intrigue. 

It was an emotional and captivating story with heavy subject matter. One would have to be in a mood for drama. Tina Fey still brings some levity to the situation until she can’t anymore which is fitting to her character. Alfred Molina (of Spanish and Italian lineage) is playing an Afghan man, which is a little jarring. He’s respectful to the culture though, not at all a caricature. I think they (gnomes) chose him for the part because no self-respecting Afghan man would do what his character had to do for the part. That’s just my speculation though.

It’s a well-made film and an accurate representation of the situation with regards to the culture from the character’s perspective. It’s not my Three Cups of Tea, but I appreciated seeing it through the eyes of a person who’s lived there. It definitely broadened my horizons a bit.