Dorathen
Better Late Then Never
Lollivan
It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.
Usamah Harvey
The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.
Sienna-Rose Mclaughlin
The movie really just wants to entertain people.
SnoopyStyle
It's 1954 Algeria. Revolution is in the air. Daru (Viggo Mortensen) is a war veteran teaching little kids in a small remote school house. Another white teacher has been killed and he's warned to leave. He refuses since his family were longtime residents. One day, prisoner Mohamed (Reda Kateb) is brought to the school. Daru is told to bring him to town for trial. Mohamed had killed his cousin. He needs to end the blood feud by getting executed by the French. Their journey is disrupted by the two warring sides.There is beauty in the stark landscape. I like the setup until Mohamed refuses to escape after the attack. He's not much of a prisoner and that drains some of the tension. The level of duty for Daru is pretty low which also drains the tension away. Daru is projecting impossible goodness. There just isn't anything to prevent Daru from walking away. Mohamed don't seem to care about his life. There is no fight for life since both seem perfectly happy to die. I get that it's trying to say something about war and the human nature. That has some value but not much tension.
damian-chakk
Brilliant performances by Mortensen and Betak, who play two men and show their story in a war torn 1950s Algiere. The film has a progressive build of relationship between the two characters which is fantastic. They evolve deeply and create definite emotion throughout film; a fantastic effort with character development. Definititely one of Mortensen's best performances. If a film is better than just good I will usually give it a 7.5-8. This french slow paced drama scrapes itself a 9. It exceeded my expectations. It accomplished conveying the story very well. An original score from Nick Cave as well, which perhaps has a slight hint of a downfall. So far one of the two best European films of the year.
bert-huys-242-355755
The movie is timeless, with a great story, breathtaking landscapes and Viggo Mortensen - as always - excellent, and he speaks at least three foreign languages in this French movie. A must seen movie and the best one I have seen all this year 2015. You have in this feature the sad and beautiful story of a short and poignant friendship during war in Algeria. Two very different men who will have to fit together, against all odds. I think Viggo Mortensen does well to play in 'little movies',his acting is getting better and better as he is getting older.I saw the movie with only 15 people in a little cinema. What a shame that big cinema buildings don't show this one. But I don't mind, then all the people are at least interested! Everybody should go to the cinema to see this excellent drama!!!
GUENOT PHILIPPE
What a pure delight this terrific movie made in natural settings. We find here Viggo Mortensen at his very best, at his peak. The kind of lonesome, tired hero as he was in HISTORY OF VIOLENCE or EASTERN PROMISES, although quite different, but somewhere similar...The kind of hero whom I have always been in love with. Far from the super hero on whom I puke. I hate. Rade Kateb gives also here a powerful performance, as usual. You have in this feature the sad and beautiful story of a short and poignant friendship during war in Algeria. Two very different men who will have to fit together, against all odds. A gripping, poignant drama that made me weep. The school teacher's character played by Mortensen is terrific. One of the most brilliant performances I have ever seen since a long time, believe me. I will comment soon another movie about war in Algeria, a rare film named L'OPIUM ET LE BATON. Back to this one, I would have imagined Madds Mikaelsen in Motensen character. Those two are tremendous actors, very similar in many ways. But that's my own opinion.
