Freetown

I'm a Mormon, and that definitely contributes to my love of this film, but is hardly the only factor (Mormon films that I don't particularly like include "The Singles' Ward", "Church Ball", "Passage to Zarahemla", and "The Book of Mormon Movie"). I was not told to watch this by my church leaders, as some have cynically suggested - it is an independent film and the LDS Church had no involvement or stance on it at all. I watched a free special premiere screening and enjoyed it so much that I watched it twice more to support the filmmakers.

The film doesn't showcase much of the scope or background of the Liberian Civil War, but instead focuses on the experience of a handful of people trying to escape from it. Although these people are Mormons, and the film is targeted primarily at Mormons, the film's faith-affirming message is broad enough to appeal to believers of all stripes. More skeptical or atheistic people probably won't find it as appealing, which may partially explain why it was nominated for nine or ten Ghana Movie Awards but received many lukewarm or negative reviews in the U.S. Despite the missionaries' highly visible name tags, the film says little about specifically Mormon doctrine or practice, but preaches a generic message of hope and faith through adversity.

I found it to have a good mix of tension and humor that held my interest throughout. Some people say it's boring, and we'll just have to agree to disagree. Some have complained that graphic violence isn't actually shown on screen; I think this is a tasteful "less is more" approach that most modern filmmakers have sadly abandoned altogether in favor of shock value. I felt that the humor was used sparingly and wisely; it's not a hilarious movie by any means, but has some smile-worthy moments to reduce the tension. We don't learn much about the individual missionaries' backstories or motivations but their interactions with each other bring them to life as real, young, sometimes naive but goodhearted people. And of course the soundtrack, particularly the opening sequence and the recurring vocals, is phenomenal.

This was filmed in West Africa with almost exclusively West African actors - specifically Ghana, since the Ebola epidemic prevented them from filming on location. This is a unique and good move both for LDS and American films as a whole. It is, of course, based on a true story - which placed a lot of constraints on what liberties could be taken with the plot that some have derided - but it's one of those rare times when a film adaptation of necessity becomes *less* incredible than the reality. In the film, there are only seven people in the car, so as to fit the camera; in reality there were nine. In the film, they need to pass through three rebel checkpoints; in reality there were about fifty.

If you're not Mormon, I can't promise you'll enjoy this movie as much as I do, but if you're not anti-religious messages I encourage you to give it a shot.

I started watching this film with a bottle of wine and some pizza. I wasn't expecting a chick flick but I was expecting something entertaining. By the time I'd finished the pizza I had forgotten the film was playing so I tried again but this time the dog distracted me. It was an impossible film to concentrate on as the characters were shallow and the plot was almost non-existent, or maybe it was so slow its progress could be measured in glacier time. Other than the mud I can't remember much other that some God bothering. It really is a terrible and boring film. Do yourself a favour and stick pins in your eyes instead.

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 found other reviews here very revealing about the minds & intellect of others. This is not an action movie made up to shock & impress with sfx. This is based on the true story of LDS missionaries & their effort to escape Liberia at the beginning of the civil war & get to Sierra Leone. The conversations were real, as were the fears & worries & concerns of the missionaries. Would they get to safety or would they be shot & killed? There is very little gore in this film which actually disappointed some viewers! Instead we are presented with a story of missionaries traveling on the old run down roads watching out for pot holes & rebels all the way. If you want to experience the fear & trauma that has plagued so many people in different places with a sense of the poverty & challenges, then this is the film for you. A moving triumph of the connection between humanity & compassion & dealing with real life.

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.