Beasts of no Nation Delivers a Different Perspective on the Grueling Effects of War

Rating: 8/10 (28 November 2015)

Cary Fukunaga, very much known for his work directing the HBO series True Detective, has us follow the shortly experienced childhood of Agu, a boy born in an African country during the midst of a civil war. The playful and outgoing Agu, played by Abraham Attah, lives with his family in a village that is supposed to be within the safe buffer zone from the war. However, this changes as Agu is then forced into the violent culture of a civil war that frequently makes him question his recently engrained belief that he is fighting to rid the country from corruption and evil.
This film presents similar elements that other war movies have presented. It shows the changes in a character's personality and beliefs as a result of particular the gruesome acts of war, and their ability to adapt back into peaceful society afterward. What Fukunaga gives us is an altered perspective of this, being a war that does not represent American soldiers, a war where the viewers (for a portion of the movie) cannot decipher which faction is fighting for the just cause, and most of all, is through the eyes of a prepubescent child. As a viewer, understanding that the main character still young to where sexual metaphors would go way over his head, it is easy to empathize Agu and understand how easy it is for him to be manipulated into committing traumatic acts to further his party's agenda.
The film presents great atmosphere and environment really sucks the viewer in. Through the battered villages, lush jungle, and muddy trenches, one can even feel humidity during a scene when Agu is drinking a soda while patiently for his party to be done sleeping with a house full of women. Fukunaga did well in surrounding Agu with secondary characters, such as Strika, that not only propel Agu's story, but serve as a reminder that war can affect people in many different ways. The film presented multiple elements of foreshadowing or would point towards something occurring in Agu's future, however not every one of them was fulfilled. Not knowing what future actions the protagonist would take at certain points of the movie elevates the experience in that the outcome is less predictable and can yield more emotional responses.
Beasts of No Nation will definitely not be for all mature audiences in which some would find certain scenes very hard to stomach. Also, depending on the viewer, the ending might not have been satisfying enough and some questions were left unanswered. The mentioned foreshadowing that did not end up taking place may as well present somewhat of a letdown to some who are looking for Agu to take an alternate path or for other events to take place. Despite the film being rather enjoyable, but not everyone's cup of tea, it will most likely be nominated for a few minor awards. However, this film's success would be more rooted in the deep discussions it brings about. Such as how environment, influence, and individual perspective can change a person's moral beliefs.
Beasts of no Nation, Directed by Cary Fukunaga, starring Abraham Attah and Idris Elba receives a: 7.5/10 More movie reviews and discussions at graymattermovies.wordpress.com