Review of Tears of the Sun (2003) by Roland S — 11 Jan 2009

First off, this is not an action flick, it's a drama with some action. This is the only way you'll like this movie.

It's not really a movie to enjoy - more one to experience; like Last King of Scotland or Hotel Rwanda.

Having said that, itâ??s a fairly good film. Sad though so Iâ??d suggest you have a comedy on standby; I used Big Daddy.

Itâ??s set around Atrocities in Nigeria (not Big Daddy).

Nigerians may find it uncomfortable viewing as youâ??ll need to keep reminding yourself that itâ??s fiction. You do find yourself thinking theyâ??ve pushed things a bit far because they are using real names of places.

It feels like theyâ??ve taken a few occurrences and portrayed them in the extremes â?? you do find yourself wondering if things couldâ??ve happened as the movie suggests though.

Whatâ??s interesting is that the script was done before those real life major religious riots suggested in the film.

Non-Nigerians should appreciate the movie for what it is â?? an example of the kinds of things that are happening in the worst part of the continent.

(I say continent because unfortunately they do that thing where they keep talking about Africa as a small town).

Thereâ??s some deep stuff going on there.

3 things that couldâ??ve been done better â??

1. I thought Bruce Willis was not the best casting for his role â?¦heâ??s not quite commando material.

2. One of the central characters is a woman who needs to be rescued. The film makers want us to respect her for the work sheâ??s doing but they donâ??t quite pull it off. For most of the film, you just want her to die or come to some grievous bodily harm.

Itâ??s not a spoiler as you start hating her from her first appearance early in he movie.

3. There is another storyline within the movie that was just abandoned. The setup scene ends with a cheeky jab at â??The Americansâ?? and you really want to know how that bit plays out but they never come back to it.