This is a superior film about some "lost children" of Sudan, victims of the war-torn country, who ultimately come to settle in the U.S.
The film's first third or so is an extended flashback to the three main young men whose stories the film focuses on losing their parents and becoming refugees. A girl is involved here too that has some importance to the plot but has a lesser role. A fourth character that plays an important role to the motivations of one of the three as well. The title is a type of spoiler in that respect.
I have no real knowledge of the particulars here but this portion of the film seems realistic and adds a p.o.v. and setting that is quite original to what we usually see in American cinema. Reese Witherspoon gets top billing here (she plays a somewhat cynical employment agency counselor) but gets limited playing time. She might be seen as a stand-in for many average viewers here who don't know this story of these men and believes there is not much she personally can do.
The middle portion of the film has the three young men adapting to living in the Mid-West while still having personal demons and concerns to handle -- one feels a special responsibility as a leader, one is strongly religious and a third is more laid back but has his own anger issues regarding his situation. I think the film is a bit too abrupt here -- a lot is covered in a short time -- but it is overall impressive. Reese Witherspoon's character is a bit of a caricature, but overall she does okay.
The last third involves a surprise and a trip back + the aforementioned twist/spoiler. This too was handled well. Overall, it was a very good though probably not great film though many probably will be very impressed by it. I was left wanting to know a bit more about some of these characters. There is material for more to be sure.
The film's first third or so is an extended flashback to the three main young men whose stories the film focuses on losing their parents and becoming refugees. A girl is involved here too that has some importance to the plot but has a lesser role. A fourth character that plays an important role to the motivations of one of the three as well. The title is a type of spoiler in that respect.
I have no real knowledge of the particulars here but this portion of the film seems realistic and adds a p.o.v. and setting that is quite original to what we usually see in American cinema. Reese Witherspoon gets top billing here (she plays a somewhat cynical employment agency counselor) but gets limited playing time. She might be seen as a stand-in for many average viewers here who don't know this story of these men and believes there is not much she personally can do.
The middle portion of the film has the three young men adapting to living in the Mid-West while still having personal demons and concerns to handle -- one feels a special responsibility as a leader, one is strongly religious and a third is more laid back but has his own anger issues regarding his situation. I think the film is a bit too abrupt here -- a lot is covered in a short time -- but it is overall impressive. Reese Witherspoon's character is a bit of a caricature, but overall she does okay.
The last third involves a surprise and a trip back + the aforementioned twist/spoiler. This too was handled well. Overall, it was a very good though probably not great film though many probably will be very impressed by it. I was left wanting to know a bit more about some of these characters. There is material for more to be sure.