Despite magnificent cinematography and excellent acting, this film falls flat. The story is true and compelling, but the telling makes it predictable, almost farcical. Every gesture, every speech, every movement, every progression, every African song and dance, every location is exactly where it's supposed to be; the director becomes a terrible nudge, making sure you get the moral, the message, the sentiment, the irony, etc. ANS Free-dom good, Afrikaaners bad! Nothing is left to the viewer or to the art of storytelling. Nothing is subtle, except possibly Robbins' character. Many films about South African issues have been made - it's a pohotogenic place - and almost every one I've seen is more effective - like "Tsotsi" - because they respect the paradoxical isolation and global reach of politics there, not because they assumes the viewer wants to feel comfortable. This can be seen as a typical "liberal's" movie, as smugly presented as the apatheid it condemns. Even the most violent and emotionally wrenching scenes here are poorly prepared, or are beautified, or are mired in coincidence and scripted convenience. What a shame, for the 3 lead actors do a fine job. Once again, political epic is influenced by MTV.
Review of Catch a Fire
