Suffering and Love

Rating: 10/10 (15 February 2000)

Despite its many flaws, this is the most moving and challenging film I have seen in years. It deals intelligently with a wide range of issues affecting society and the individual. Racism being the most obvious, but also the need to take responsibility for our actions and do whatever is in our power to improve the world. If this sounds trite, don't worry, the film avoids sentimentality well (mainly due to the fine performances) and shows that the weapons that change the world are suffering and love. It is not afraid to raise questions that it leaves the viewer to answer, which can be frustrating, but ultimately more worthwhile. Somehow it also manages to be highly entertaining, with a rich vein of humour running through it. Director Tony Kaye shows his advertising roots too much but that can be forgiven. Not a perfect film, but certainly one that shows that cinema can deal with far more than car chases, bad sex and fart jokes.