Freetown

Two different cultures are being reflected in the reviews. I loved this movie. But then I also love things of good rapport. It often takes a lover of beauty to recognize and appreciate Beauty.

Well, I am one of those suckers that will watch anything (I literally mean anything) with the "inspired by a true story" tag on it! This is one of these cases. I started watching this movie and I kept on waiting for something. Something that would intrigue me into it. Nothing.

It felt like I just stared at the screen for the duration of the movie with no feeling whatsoever. The characters were not analyzed enough, remaining on a superficial level. No explanation for their motive or incentives and a bunch of actors that would not be missed even if they gave up acting today.

The movie was not shot well and many of the scenes that could have been nice, were lost among others. The plot is overly simplistic and slow and it offers no "revelation" whatsoever. Even in the end, the solution that is given is somewhat too easy and simple-minded with lots of holes in it. Overall it felt like this true story could have remained untold. No one would miss anything! I gave a five to it, only cause I appreciated the historical background that came with it.

I really can't understand why this movie "Freetown" rates so poorly here on IMDb although I do suspect that the poor rating might have something to do with the common (mis)perception among most people about the Mormon Church and those who follow the Mormon faith. I saw that at least one reviewer here said that the movie was nothing more than two hours of Mormon propaganda.

Some years ago, I was associated with the Mormon faith through some very good friends. I was introduced to the tenets of the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints but I didn't feel able to make the spiritual commitment to the Church that is required. Nonetheless, I will say that I found that everyone associated with the Church to be just the nicest and the most honest people I've ever met.

With that background, I thought "Freetown" a good movie. Not a great one by any means but very watchable and with the benefit of its being a true story. The movie is well produced, well acted for the most part, with a good and believable script and with some quite lovely cinematography.

The portrayal of the young Missionaries in "Freetown" was just as I have come to believe such people to be. Not a group that seeks to shove their ideology down the throats of other people; rather just decent and good people who wish only to help others to have happier lives. Despite its currently poor rating or 4.7, "Freetown" is definitely worth seeing.

JMV.

This afternoon I saw an "advanced screening" of this gripping true story of six black African LDS (Mormon) missionaries' harrowing efforts to get safely out of Monrovia at the beginning of the 1989 Liberian civil war. The soundtrack is fresh and appropriate, the actors are excellent and the African locations give the production a very authentic look and feel. The direction is very tight and kept me on the edge of my seat up to the very end. The action is tense and dramatic, but I agree with other reviewers who have noted that there is just enough humor to give your nerves a rest from time-to-time. Although elements of their missionary purpose and religion play an obvious role in their escape attempt the protagonists do not engage in preachy dialog. In fact, just the opposite. I felt genuine anguish with several of the characters as they confronted their fears and doubts in very dangerous circumstances beyond their control. This is one of the best films (of any kind) that I have seen recently and I strongly recommend it!

Firstly the film put me to sleep, not a good start. I woke up the next day and tried to watch the rest. There's a few scenes in the film which offer suspense and the aspects of the Liberian civil war we see are quite dramatic, however this is not an action film. There are some scenes of action which are necessary to drive the plot and provide the reasons by which a small group of men must flee. However these are widely dispersed and the predominant point of the film is to deliver some fairly tedious messages of faith.

It may have done better if it were possible to understand how Khran can be identified as they're hunted. It may have been better if it'd explained why the missionaries hadn't just taken off their shirts and ties and blended in.

An unexciting story on the whole, combined with some awful acting. I hope that some of the money that this film might make has gone to enrich the lives of those without much. If it wasn't for the exceptional camera work and fascinating views of Liberia I'd have rated this a two.