Edges of the Lord
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Movie Reviews of Edges of the Lord
Movie Review: A Film That Is Both Moving And Challenging
Summary: 5 Stars
I made this selection based by "judging the book by its cover" so to speak. I saw Haley Joel Osmont on the cover, saw William Dafoe as a priest, quickly read the summary on the back and took no notice of the rating. I expected a kindly story about a young Jewish boy "rescued" by Christians in Poland during World War II and expected it to be moving and probably perfect for family viewing. Well, all I needed was one viewing to know I made wrong assumption, but making this wrong assumption and expecting a different film may be why this film moved me so.
The film tells the story of Romek, played by Osmont, who is sent to the Polish countryside to avoid being captured by the Nazis. The village may be remote, but it is hardly immune to the World War that is taking place. Romek has the expected scuffles with the village's children but eventually find his place. Yet he also experiences the horrors that cannot be avoided in such a story.
Perhaps what makes this film outstanding is that it is not a typical Holocaust survival film. The film accurately portrays the moral ambiguities that were very much a part of life during the Second World War, especially for Europeans. We see a different type of Catholicism, not the often stereotypes Catholicism that is all too often seen in films, but the unique strain of Polish Catholicism. There is plenty of conflict in the film on many different levels. There are tensions between Romek and the other children that are typical of children's interactions, yet we also know that some of the conflicts are at a deeper level when people suspect why Romek is living in the village. We see the atrocities of war, but we see it through the beautiful acting and writing of the film and not through graphic gimmicks.
There are a number of elements in this film that will catch the viewer by surprise and in the end, make the viewer think. It is worth watching and without question will cause the viewer to think about the bravery of so many during the Second World War, the atrocities that were all too much a part of it, and how easily we can take human rights for granted. Yet surprisingly, while it can have all these elements, and not have the happiest of endings, it is in the end uplifting because in its own way, the human spirit triumphs.
Movie Review: Edges of the Lord
Summary: 5 Stars
I just finished viewing this picture, ORDER IT TODAY! It's rated "R", but we watched it with our children, to help them to understand the evil of that time in world history. To reinforce the drive to avoid this at all costs. We wanted to be there to answer the question that inevitably comes up, "why are they so mean".
Buy this picture and view your self, but don't pass it up. It was released in Poland 2 years ago, but not in the US until now, thank you for having the courage to do this.
This is yet another triumph for Haley Joel Osment, this young man has the ability to turn you on and off like a switch. Haley where does you talent end, each picture is better than the last? Please, please keep up the outstanding work. I felt that the subplots weaving thought the picture were just perfect, the Priest who handed Haley an unblessed wafer at their first communion, (he understood that the boy did not feel comfortable and made it possible for him to continue his disguise), the your girl who wanted the have sex with him, the youngest brother how believes he is the Christ, and wants to suffer and die to return the world to where it was before the war,and many more. You will want to watch this one 3, 4 or more times.
As a Jew I found his performance string and stunning. The plot set against Word War II and Nazi occupation of Poland brings on memories of the holocaust, people murdered in cold blood, the trains, Oh those trains of helpless Jews going to their death. The youngest boy, Liam Hess; when he was put on that train to die, the tears rolled down my cheek. I pray that we shall NEVER see such a thing happen again. This is one of the most powerful holocaust pictures I have ever seen it is as powerful as "The Pianist" and "Schindler's List", It must be seen to be believed.
Movie Review: Love the Movie Which Shows How Hate Creates Hades Yet Angels Can Help
Summary: 5 Stars
Similar to Pay It Forward, the boy (Haley Joel Osment) does a wonderful job of making one truly feel for the boy and the specific situation the boy is in. As the story winds on, how people treat other people is what impacted me the most. In other movies, I have seen horrible things done to the Jews during those times. I'm sure there were many more things done than I can imagine. However, this movie went way beyond zeroing in on how the Jews were treated.
The movie shows us that brutality was inflicted on not only the Jews, but many others too. Many know that the Jews were treated horribly back then and some people may even insincerely shake their heads and say "Tsk tsk" and think how it would not have affected them. If the insincere people saw this movie, they would understand that their own selfish selves would also be in danger and would hate the whole situation itself. The movie shows a place that is a Hades where evil actions were common. I am certain that many people shed tears during this awesome movie.
Although hate, a lack of respect for life, and murder ran unchecked, the movie also showed characters that had an understanding of how precious life is. These good people supported life and did the best they could at great risk to themselves. Their actions went way beyond religious tolerance. The actions showed a respect for people and their beliefs.
Words cannot do justice to this movie.
Movie Review: A movie not to be missed
Summary: 5 Stars
Edges of the Lord received very little publicity when it was released, and the American release went straight to DVD. Yet this is a film that demands watching and more than once. Haley Joel Osment gives possibly his best performance ever, and that says a lot considering his outstanding efforts in The Sixth Sense, Pay It Forward, A.I., and Second Hand Lions. He portrays a young Jewish boy in Poland during the Nazi occupation, who is sent to live with a Catholic family in rural Poland, where he must pose as a Catholic in order to survive. The only person, besides the family he is living with, who knows his true identity, is the village priest played by William Dafoe who gives an understated yet excellent performance. The drama is intense throughout, but it builds to an even more intense climax. All of the children in the movie give remarkable performances which further serve to show the true nature of what it was like to live under Nazi occupation whether a Jew or a Christian. This is a movie not to be missed, and it is a movie that should be watched together by families with children above age 12Movie Review: Not to be missed
Summary: 5 Stars
What a movie! If you are a fan of Haley Joel Osment (what's not to love?) or even if you are not, this is a film that will have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end, with emotional twists and turns that left me gasping for air. This film was never theatrically released in the United States (I don't know why) but it is definitely available on DVD and definitely worth watching and sharing.
Osment plays a little Jewish boy who is sent away by his parents to hide in the country side where he must pretend to be Catholic. This means this little tiny child must understand what it is to be Jewish, why it is dangerous, what it means to be Catholic and why it is important. Finding a group of friends to play with, it is intriguing to watch how they interpret their own Catholicism, and how it is acted out within the context of WWII.
See this movie. Not to be missed.
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