Formosa Betrayed

Formosa Betrayed, opening exclusively at the Studio 30 in Houston this weekend, shows a total lack of conviction even while spinning a fairly intriguing tale of political and governmental skullduggery. Set in the 1980s the film revolves around the Chinese manipulation of Taiwan. Occasionally FB evokes stock footage of Ho Chi Minh or Nixon and Mao to illustrate previous history.
James Van Der Beek plays a FBI agent investigating the murder of a professor that leads him to Taiwan. Supporting turn as agents from Wendy Crewson and John Heard are convincing.
On the up side FB director Adam Kane shows a good eye for large scale set pieces, like a Taipei demonstration that begins peacefully and ends in violence as well as an airport showdown. Kane demonstrates discerning camera angles and editing choices.
On the down side why does Van Der Beek go through the entire film with a three-day stubble of beard like an extra from Miami Vice? No FBI agent in the 80s did that, nor in the 90s (compare Silence of the Lambs), and certainly not now. You may see FBI agents in casual attire but they always shave. It may be a small point but then why make Van Der Beek a fed when he could have been investigating the same crime, with the same supporting cast, as a journalist with a permanent 5 O'clock shadow?