The Free World

I really didn't expect much out of this film,but decided ill check it out.

This is a well directed,well acted film. It left me touched,and appreciative of the experience. So many raw emotions.

The story was evolving and engrossing,the characters,portrayed wonderfully with all their vulnerabilities and inner strength.

The film showed characters,wounded from past experiences,rediscover hope in mutual past hurt and brutal experiences,build through it ,and evolve to have future and hope.

Most of the film is a drama,but toward the end it speeds up to a thriller and even some action.

Everything was conceived ,in my eyes ,to create this immaculate experience.

I thought at first that this was another of my Netflix mistakes. I sometimes queue a DVD for fleeting reasons, and then, when the disk arrives, I wonder "why did I want to watch this one?" I thought the lead actor was insanely good. Even the parts where he sullenly has nothing to say, his body language spoke volumes. I thought he was perfectly credible as a wounded man-child, having been falsely convicted in his early teens of something that I don't think was ever specified.

The female lead was also the victim of undeserved violence, a battered wife. I liked the way the screenplay took a while to make that clear.

My only complaint is that there were one or two spots in the film where the pacing got really slow. Since these 2 characters weren't free to move around a lot because of the threats against them, there were many cloistered moments during which they could only speak - but then again, neither wanted much to talk due to their situation/condition.

Like another reviewer, I too am really surprised by the low rating. I am so glad I decided to ignore the rating and give this movie a chance. The acting is suburb by both leads and supporting actors. Both Moss and Holbrook performances are stellar. Their pasts and pain meld and bond them together.

I am not going to reveal any of the story, but it is a subtle, sparse, intense and moving indie film. It is not a light movie that will make you feel warm and fuzzy. It's not meant to be. It shows the world realistically with all of its injustice, cruelty and yet also shows compassion. It is a movie that I know will stay with me for a long time.

If you are a fan of indie films with suburb acting and a story with depth I highly suggest giving it a watch.

I love to watch films that don't require much location, much vulgarity, a lot of CGI, gun violence and sex scenes to tell a story. With a excellent script and excellent acting, a film can be well done with the just the basics. I loved this movie, two people finding true love under real dire conflict but in the end having to face the harsh reality of their decisions. I will add this, any man who beats on women is a punk, coward lowlife and true scumbag. This movie is straight forward and honest and right to the point and you can't ask any more of film. Kudos to the whole cast. I will admit I was looking for a more brighter ending for the couple, but that's what was made it so good, it didn't have that cliché type of a happy ending. I highly recommend this to film lovers, not movie goers, there is a big difference. You will not be disappointed.

No spoilers. This is a well-acted, well-written, real-world drama with a merciful lack of super hero clichés. The ending isn't what you expect. Which I like. This is more art film than action hero folks. So don't waste your time if you need that fix. It's a rare example of good American indie.