Tedious and Long-Winded

Rating: 6/10 (7 August 2011)

The first hour or so feels like an overlong documentary about the war in Cambodia. There's no rhyme or reason to the narrative. It's just a random collection of scenes depicting a country in turmoil, and it becomes tedious. Joffe used the same heavy-handed and long-winded approach in his next film, "The Mission." Ngor is likable and sympathetic as the Cambodian journalist. The same can't be said of Waterston, who basically comes across as whiny, humorless, and self-centered as the New York Times writer whose memoir is the basis for the film. Malkovich is notable in only his second film. Surprisingly, there are long scenes with Cambodian dialog but no subtitles.