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Reviews63
dixxjamm's rating
From the first 5 minutes I knew that the movie would be uncomfortable, disturbing and fantastic. And that's because I'm a 39 year-old man that had a fairly common life. Which is exactly why me and a lot of blokes like me would be lying if we didn't admit that this Brandon character is actually US. Yes, that over-the-top man is more typical that we would maybe like to admit. The reason why most of us avoid the extent of the character's ultimate downfall is because we get lucky, we find other things to worry/and be obsessed about or that we simply grow up. But to say that this is not an incredibly well spotted and presented universal character that ANY man would find himself in more or less would be a lie. I have rarely been so touched and intrigued by a movie character, by the honesty and complexity of the depiction. Must see.
I just wanted to add something that I think it's missing from all the comments here: This kind of approach to South America and its recent history is insulting and biased. 1. The pro-left rebels in the mountains are portrayed as comic stereotypes: dirty, illiterate, terrorist. 2. Nothing in the movie even hints the BIGGEST problem, which is the constant involvement of the US in South American and Central American internal affairs and the exploitation of the South American resources by the West. 3. The white characters are so f***** pure and one-sided that it made me want to puke.The kidnapped man is a damn builder who wants to "help the people".The wife and the sister are down-to-earth strong American women. The rescuers are funny and charming and have a noble agenda.Whereas everything about the South American country is mercantile and primitive. No s***, Sherlock.
Western directors should do some research and soul searching before working with such background stories. This is the real history and drama of a whole continent, not some childish Star Wars story.
As for movie itself, I enjoyed it somewhat because of some good actors. Morse is great, Caruso tackles the type of supporting role that we are usually used to see Bill Paxton in, and Crowe is OK in his tough guy military role. The only problem with the acting is Meg Ryan, who's not only miscast but really does an awful job here. Really terrible, as always, actually.
Western directors should do some research and soul searching before working with such background stories. This is the real history and drama of a whole continent, not some childish Star Wars story.
As for movie itself, I enjoyed it somewhat because of some good actors. Morse is great, Caruso tackles the type of supporting role that we are usually used to see Bill Paxton in, and Crowe is OK in his tough guy military role. The only problem with the acting is Meg Ryan, who's not only miscast but really does an awful job here. Really terrible, as always, actually.