This film takes a large bite out of an under reported human tragedy; child exploitation. Set mostly in central and South America, it profiles an operation to liberate children, the men who under took it, and most importantly, the victims who endured unspeakable pain and suffering (a point the film seemed comfortable forgetting a few times in order to make time for long lingering shots of Caviezel. There more than enough dwelling on Cav' lemon juice streaked yellow/blondeness for ten films.
The music is a total downer. It wears one down with the deep cello laments mixed with chanting choir. The story is pretty slow although it frames the experiences of the children quite well. Caviezel, Camp and Sorvino all turn in rather forgettable performances; very reserved and almost fading into the background of the film. The children stand out, especially Elanna de la Rossa who plays Rocio, and who earned herself an Oscar nomination, if not a lot of very worthy chatter. Brava!
Otherwise, the film comes off as an anti Hollywood independent film with a strong spiritual or religious streak. I couldn't help but dwell a little bit on the recent social fascination with anything related to child sexual abuse; the way it has permeated politics in such a bizarre manner, and how this film either contributes to that idiocy or clarifies and dispels it.... I did not find it was clarifying.... Nor a contribution to idiocy.
The music is a total downer. It wears one down with the deep cello laments mixed with chanting choir. The story is pretty slow although it frames the experiences of the children quite well. Caviezel, Camp and Sorvino all turn in rather forgettable performances; very reserved and almost fading into the background of the film. The children stand out, especially Elanna de la Rossa who plays Rocio, and who earned herself an Oscar nomination, if not a lot of very worthy chatter. Brava!
Otherwise, the film comes off as an anti Hollywood independent film with a strong spiritual or religious streak. I couldn't help but dwell a little bit on the recent social fascination with anything related to child sexual abuse; the way it has permeated politics in such a bizarre manner, and how this film either contributes to that idiocy or clarifies and dispels it.... I did not find it was clarifying.... Nor a contribution to idiocy.