Review of In a Better World (2010) by Grant B — 18 May 2011
If Jesus was a film director today, he would have made this film! The central theme of the film is compassion, forgiveness, and loving your enemy. I truly do believe that Jesus would not have directed movies like "Facing the Giants" or "Fireproof" (and not that there is anything wrong with movies like that), but Jesus was a storyteller who told parables that involved many sins to convey greater life lessons. This film is packed with life lessons! If more people acted like the father Anton (who is a doctor in Africa and a dedicated father), then we all would live in a better world.
In the film, nature almost seems to be a character. The world is beautifully depicted in incredible nature shots showing the natural beauty and brutality of our planet (dust devils and storms).
The music does not distract from the film, but truly benefits the acting (on the note of acting, this film has two fantastic child actors)!
Stylistically, the movie still bares some of the Dogme 95 tenants (shaky handheld work and purposeful jump cuts), but that only adds to the story as great Dogme 95 does.
This film won best foreign film for a reason: It is tangible and universal in both theme and content.
This review of In a Better World (2010) was written by Grant B on 18 May 2011.
In a Better World has generally received very positive reviews.
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