Based upon a true storyMichael Sullivan (Theo James) takes a job at the United Nations with supervisor Pasha (Ben Kingsley) a United Nations Under Secretary who runs the Oil for Food Program and Michael eventually learns how "diplomacy" really works. Michael learns that there is corruption everywhere he looks, but goes along with Pasha's "don't rock the boat" philosophy because Pasha wants to keep his job and also to insure the funding continues for the Program. This is really NOT an entertaining story. It's more like a documentary about the corruption within the United Nations, and sometimes it's difficult to follow characters that come and go and we are not sure what they do except to say most are up to no good. All you really have to do is to follow Michael and his take on everything. Remember, he took the job to make a difference in the world, but is constrained by Pasha and his don't rock the boat philosophy. Michael's change of heart started with Michael befriending and defending Nashim (Belcim Bilgin) a Kurdish woman who fears for her life if she is found out to be Kurdish in Iraq. After the attack by the US on Iraq, Michael sees the opportunity to get the evidence for all the corruption that involves many well known companies and other countries who greased Saddam's hand. Ben Kingsley plays Pasha perfectly and we all know he is guilty and we wonder how Michael will expose him and all the rest. And this is where the major backstabbing takes place because Pasha is found guilty as well. Pasha admits to Michael later on that this was well-played by Michael. Notable: Jacqueline Bisset as Christina Dupre, who is opposed to the Food for Oil program because she knows the program is corrupt and all the food never gets to the people and worse the drugs that are supposed to help cure illness are so out of date many deaths come about because of that. Stay tuned to the end to see statements about what happened to everyone. An aside: To see more backstabbing incidents, watch any daytime Soap on TV. Ha !Again, not entertaining, but quite informative and this is a difficult story to follow, but Pasha does make it interesting. (7/10)Violence: Yes. Sex: No Nudity: No. Humor: Some. Language: Yes. Rating: B

The movie backstabbing for beginners is not half as bad as some reviews have it. sure it does not invent the diplomacy thriller anew, but its solid handwork, a good production and the sets were good too. i was a bit irritated by ben kingsleys constant swearing, it would not befit a real high diplomat to use such foul language in public all the time. overall is a watchable film about a young idealistic guy getting assigned to a supposed dream job. but sooner than he imagined, he is caught up in the confusion that any multi billion dollar program and high politics bring along. whom can he believe? is it possible for one man to make a difference in a fight against corruption and greed? see for yourself

This movie, disguised as a docu-drama, is a work of pure fiction. It does a great disservice to the UN staff who worked their hearts out in Iraq on the Oil for Food Programme trying to help the Iraqi people. I would love to know what the director is basing this movie on, as it certainly isn't based on the book by the same title, Backstabbing for Beginners. Most of the characters depicted never existed in real life, and same as most of the events in the movie. They are all just a figment of the Director's imagination.

This is in genre not on the list docu-drama, where the whole thing are based on the real story and real people in the scandal about Oil For Food.And as such it is an important film, so those that are too young to have lived it or just have forgot the story have it told/refreshed. (It was big back then).It is well played by the actors, and the director -as usual- does a good job. But some parts gave me a dry and dusty feeling in the mouth (and no, not due to the sand...), but for obvious reasons not all parts of a real story are equally dramatic, but the slightly boring parts are important to get the full story.8 is a bit high, but 7 is a bit too stingy...(I'm not sure about the spoiler tag, since it is based on a real story)