Amazing Realism

Rating: 9/10 (18 December 2015)

This movie blew me away. I'm too used to the usual tripe version: too much dwelling on the sick nature of what happened in gory details to shock the viewer rather than focusing on the characters, and usually the movie ends the second they escape, off to an instant happy ending. This movie is refreshingly different and focuses on the personal experiences of the boy in particular and his mother, with almost half the movie dedicated to what happens after the escape. Because of this it's very effective at making you feel for the characters and connect with each rise and fall. Not an instant happy ever after that people swaddle themselves with, but a true raw connection with the human difficulties and consequences of a horrible ordeal. It's celebrating how people adapt and dust themselves off that is inspiring, not a whitewashed instant gratification. Well worth the watch, best movie I've seen in some time.