no redeeming value

Rating: 5/10 (22 June 2005)

After the first 10 minutes, I whispered to my significant other, that if the next 10 minutes continue in this manner, I would leave. Anyway, the next 10 minutes were not quite as bad so I stoically stayed till the end. The picture is disturbing in its depiction of intolerance, but I was more disturbed by the production than by its depiction of racism and intolerance.
The characters tended to be one dimensional; the action was generally preceded by loud music (ominous if the scene is ominous, tender if it is tender, etc.); the bad guys were very bad, the good guys (I think you could actually find one) very good.
Clearly, the picture was made with good intentions, and I think it intended to instruct. Still I walked out feeling it was a fake and I found no redeeming value in it. I gave it a 5 out of 10 because much of the acting was fine, despite what I regard as a bad script.
My significant other thought the picture was "great." And so it goes.