Most people are missing the point. This movie has power, from the first scene of the camp in Ethiopia. Maybe the acting wasn't spectacular, no, and neither was the plot. And yes it was strange to see a piano in the desert. But that is not the point. The point is this is really happening, and has been happening for far too long. That people everyday really do risk life and limb to help other humans who have no choice but to go through life living that risk as a reality. The point of this movie is to connect to the viewer, to ask the viewer to recognize that more needs to be done, that more can be done.
Reading an interview with Angelina Jolie inspired me when I was 17 years old to go into a life of service. I will be joining the Peace Corps when I graduate college in 2006. Hopefully, I will be deployed to Senegal to help in small business development. Now, after reading about the genocide in Rwanda in a book entitled "Shake Hands with the Devil" by Lt. Gen. Romeo Dallaire, I am convinced that I can do something, anything, at least on some level. I hope the film, rather than being perceived as good or bad, will inspire others all the same.
So what if the movie wasn't Oscar caliber? At least the refugee and continuing conflict situations have been brought to light in another way, brought to more people's attention. Instead of debating the film's merits we should be out there doing something right now. Whether it's calling the attention a local politician, learning on our own, writing an opinion piece for a newspaper, teaching our children tolerance and understanding, or donating money to a worthy cause. More can be done so easily.
BBC Interview with Angelina Jolie: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/3808501.stm
Beyond Borders
2003
Action / Adventure / Drama / Romance / War
Beyond Borders
2003
Action / Adventure / Drama / Romance / War
Plot summary
Beyond Borders is an epic tale of the turbulent romance between two star-crossed lovers set against the backdrop of the world's most dangerous hot spots. Academy Award winner Angelina Jolie stars as Sarah Jordan, an American living in London in 1984. She is married to Henry Bauford, son of a wealthy British industrialist. When she encounters Nick Callahan a renegade doctor, whose impassioned plea for help to support his relief efforts in war-torn Africa moves her deeply. As a result, Sarah embarks upon a journey of discovery that leads to danger, heartbreak and romance in the far corners of the world.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.BLU 1080p.BLUMovie Reviews
The Point
Overwrought melodrama
Sarah Jordan (Angelina Jolie) is a Londoner who gets so affected by the pompous doctor Nick Callahan (Clive Owen) at a charity ball that she gets herself to Africa to help the starving. She would leave her husband behind and a grand romance of epic proportions would ensue.
This starts off badly with a ridiculous incident at the charity ball. I don't have any problems with somebody throwing the banana. It's the unnatural forced laughing from the audience that is so ridiculous. It's way too forced. Angelina Jolie does her excessive doe-eye acting. Again it is way overboard. I am sure this was made with the best of intentions, but it is so badly overwrought that it probably drives people away.
Beyond Borders-Love Transcends All ***1/2
A perfect vehicle for Angelina Jolie. This role was made for her as an activist meeting the love of her life.
The picture is basically divided into 3 parts. Starvation torn Ethiopia of 1984, Cambodia in 1989 and Chechnia of 1995.
Engaged to a wealthy gentleman, who later loses his fortune in the market and shows his infidelity, Jolie meets a dedicated but hardened doctor in Ethiopia as she enters a life of dedication to the impoverished of war torn nations. Clive Owen is terrific as the doctor who seems frigid to all by the experiences he has endured. Yet, he eventually finds love with Jolie as the years pass.
Am surprised that this high quality film had such short duration on screen. It is extremely well crafted.
This is a story of two idealistic human beings who risked everything for those affected by war
Wait until you see the secret that Jolie reveals to Owen by picture's end. You will not be really surprised for love endures all situations.