Current Release Date: May 6th (NYC-Lincoln Plaza Cinemas and Angelika Film Center), by IFC Films. The Cast: Connie Nielsen,Ulrich Thomsen,Nikolaj Lie Kaas. In Danish with subtitles. BASIC PREMISE: Two brothers are separated when one goes to fight in a war in Afghanistan, leaving the remaining brother with the other's wife. ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: This movie has a plot with a lot of surprises and tension. There is especially a lot of tension when the brother goes to war and is presumed to be dead. What happens in his experiences in the war is obviously gruesome and difficult to watch, but the great performances and cinematography make it easier to watch. Connie Nielson is particularly superb as the soldier's wife. The final half of the movie is very engaging as the soldier makes a surprise return home to his wife. SPIRITUAL VALUE: There are a lot of difficult issues that this film brings up. For instance, what would be the right thing to do if one had to choose between being killed by the enemy or killing one's fellow soldier? The soldier in this case chose the latter, but is it still murder if he was forced by the enemy? The fog of war is always very complicated. Also, when the soldier returns home it is interesting to watch how he is mentally damaged by the war and how it affects his life back at home. INSULT TO YOUR INTELLIGENCE: The message that war is hell is not original and the consequences of coming back from war are predictable. NUMBER OF TIMES I CHECKED MY WATCH: 1 THE BOTTOM LINE: A riveting, difficult film about the consequences and hell of war with surprising plot twists, strong performances, and an intelligent, thought-provoking plot. RECOMMENDED WAY TO WATCH: Movie Theater (1st Run) Main Page Alphabetical Menu The "B" Menu ______________________________________________________ |