​FILMS

far from men

2015 review number 107:

Far From Men: (Drama): 70 out of 100: The wide screen is used to maximum effect in this tale of two men forming a bond in extraordinary circumstances. It's a character study set in a world of turmoil where people don't trust each other, yet the two main characters must overcome their initial inhibitions toward each other to survive. 

 

Set in Algeria in 1954, Viggo Mortensen stars as Daru, a village schoolteacher who was once a French army soldier. He reluctantly agrees to escort local villager, Mohamed (Reda Kateb) to a regional police station where he must face trial for murder. Along their journey, they learn about each other through a series of revelations and incidents which force them to question their loyalties. 

 

Entering the cinema, I only read a little of the synopsis so it was to my surprise that Far From Men (Loin des hommes in French) was not in English. Viggo Mortensen has appeared in some popular Hollywood movies like The Lord of the Rings trilogy and to my reckoning, he hasn't starred in any foreign language films before. To demonstrate his flexibility, not only does he speak in the predominant language in this production (French), but he also has to master Arabic. That sure is earning your paycheck! He convinces so much that you forget that he is a Hollywood actor who has only spoken English in his roles. You feel his every doubt, his every dilemma, that you become totally engrossed in his portrayal. Reda Kateb also excels in his role by bringing sensitivity to his character. Together, Mortensen and Kateb display their interactions with meaning and purpose.

 

The stunning landscape is brilliantly presented in widescreen. It feels like you're on their journey; that's how impressive the camera panning is. After a while though, it tends to become a hard slog at times with the impressive scenery neglecting the progression of the story. A movie 105 minutes in duration in this instance seems more like a two and a half hour epic. One yearning for a little action has to wait quite some time between scenes for this to happen.

 

Nick Cave and Warren Ellis combine to present a haunting, often minimalist music score which generates mood and tension. The images and sounds feed off each other to give the overall production a sense of atmosphere that draws the viewer in. 

 

It's not the perfect 'western' that it could have been due to the leisurely and drawn-out pacing, but it is still an impressive observation of a world that many people would know little about. 

 

Starring Viggo Mortensen and Reda Kateb

(105 minutes)

Parental advice: Violence and adult themes

Additional scene during or after credits: No

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38YXNj2eM5s (Movie trailer)

(Reviewed on Wednesday 29th July, 2015)

 

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