Catch a Fire
by Phillip Noyce
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Bonnie Henna, Derek Luke, Mncedisi Shabangu, Tim Robbins, Tumisho MashaDirector: Phillip Noyce
Brand: NBC Universal
Producer: Anthony Minghella
Producer: Debra Hayward
Producer: Eric Fellner
Producer: Genevieve Hofmeyr
Producer: Jeff Abberley
Producer: Julia Blackman
Writer: Shawn Slovo
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; French (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; French (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 5.1
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 101 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2010-09-07
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Universal Studios
Movie Reviews of Catch a Fire
Movie Review: The movie takes us to a difficult time in the history of South Africa.
Summary: 5 Stars
After watching many mediocre Oscar wannabe movies in 2006, we finally came across an excellent film that has history, drama, profound emotions, and superb acting. All these combined with an excellent award worthy cinematography. "Catch a Fire" is the drama we recommend.
Story:
The story takes place in 1980 during the Apartheid-era in South Africa. Patrick Chamusso (Derek Luke) lives with his wife and 2 daughters in a slum near an oil refinery where he works. He also coaches soccer to children in his community. Living his life away from politics seems to be going well for Patrick, but that's about to change. An explosion in the oil refinery spawns a terrorist investigation. The government is certain that it was a terrorist act by the ANC--which is an opposition political party--and they have to do whatever it takes to stop them. Government agents led by Nic Vos (Tim Robbins) wrongly accused Patrick of terrorism. He is taken into custody. He is tortured for many days, but he is not the only one. Patrick's wife is also a victim of this kind of abuse. Once released, he thinks about the injustice and the suffering of his people created by his own government. Now, there is nothing more than revenge in his heart. He leaves his family and joins the ANC to carry more terrorist acts. Will he be able to reconsider? What will he do next?
Review:
The movie takes us to a difficult time in the history of South Africa. There is a feeling of unrest and paranoia between the characters; we see who they struggle during those hard political times. "Catch a fire" creates drama because both sides fight for what they believe is right, but obviously the movie takes Patrick's side. In other words, the film tells its point of view right away by showing who are the good guys and the bad guys. Patrick is pictured here as another victim of the "white evil" government. We would have loved to see more of the "bad guys' side" to create some balance in the movie.
The acting is superb and Oscar worthy, especially by Derek Luke who did an excellent job as Patrick Chamusso. His character is very emotional and believable. We wouldn't be surprise if he gets nominated to an Oscar for that role. We would like to mention Tim Robbins for his role as supporting actor. His character shows everyone that he is cold blooded.
Director Phillip Noyce ('Clear and Present Danger', 'The Quite American') has a skillful eye for filmmaking. He is another star in the film by creating--in our opinion--the best cinematography of 2006. The film has great locations, the camera work gives you sometimes the "documentary like" look especially in the action scenes, and the night shots are beautifully crafted.
The Verdict:
1980 was not a good year for Patrick Chamusso, neither for his country. "Catch a Fire" is the film that takes us back in time. We see through the eyes of the people who suffered that tough political era. We recommend it.
Summary of Catch a Fire
From the Director of Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger comes Catch a Fire, an action packed journey of sabotage, corruption, alienation and murder. Academy Award winner Tim Robbins (Mystic River, The Shawshank Redemption) and Derek Luke (Glory Road, Friday Night Lights) star in this suspense thriller based on a true story. Set against a country in flames and two cultures at war, Catch a Fire is the gripping account of the spark that ignited a man, inspired a revolution and united a country. Starring: Tim Robbins, Derek Luke, Bonnie Henna Directed by: Phillip NoyceCatch a Fire is an intelligent, fact-based apartheid thriller that tells the story of Patrick Chamusso (sympathetically played by Derek Luke), a South African wrongly accused, in 1980, of sabotaging the oil refinery where he worked. After both he and his wife are tortured by agents of the Boer government (led by a conflicted security chief played by Tim Robbins), Chamusso becomes a radicalized guerilla for the MK, or military wing, of the African National Congress. Filmed on the actual locations where its events took place, Catch a Fire bristles with urgent authenticity, its political cat-and-mouse game capably handled by director Philip Noyce, who applies the sensitivity of his acclaimed films Rabbit-Proof Fence and The Quiet American with the thriller expertise established in mainstream hits like Dead Calm and Patriot Games. The film's third-act shift toward conventional sabotage-and-manhunt plotting may seem jarring, but you can hardly blame Noyce and screenwriter Shawn Slovo (whose father led the MK when Chamusso joined) for sticking to the facts in a politically charged story handled with admirable humanity and compassion. --Jeff Shannon
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