The Free World (2016)

Blistering performances.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

The Free World is yet another movie meant to show the power or religion, though the religion of choice this time is Islam, not Christianity. So, at least they don't mention how there's a need to be saved.Mo(short for Mohamed) was recently released from prison for a crime he didn't commit. While working at an animal abuse shelter, a beaten dog is brought in. Mo's boss threatens to call the cops, but, lo and behold, a cop is the one that beat the dog. Just the first of the bad cops in this movie. There are no good ones.That evening, in front of the dog's cage in the shelter, he sees the owner, Doris (also the dog-beater's wife), passed out. HE takes her home with him, and later finds out she killed her husband and is on the run. The two then go on the run together, as she killed the man that was beating her.That's the basics of the story, but along the way we are shown multiple images of Mo washing his arms pre-prayer, praying, etc. His faith is raised multiple times through the story. He converted in prison, where the conversion brought him peace. It's banged over your head multiple times.Looks to me the director wanted to say, see, not all Muslims are bad, but they're all treated the same by those evil police.

No spoilers. This is a well-acted, well-written, real-world drama with a merciful lack of super hero clichés. The ending isn't what you expect. Which I like. This is more art film than action hero folks. So don't waste your time if you need that fix. It's a rare example of good American indie.

I love to watch films that don't require much location, much vulgarity, a lot of CGI, gun violence and sex scenes to tell a story. With a excellent script and excellent acting, a film can be well done with the just the basics. I loved this movie, two people finding true love under real dire conflict but in the end having to face the harsh reality of their decisions. I will add this, any man who beats on women is a punk, coward lowlife and true scumbag. This movie is straight forward and honest and right to the point and you can't ask any more of film. Kudos to the whole cast. I will admit I was looking for a more brighter ending for the couple, but that's what was made it so good, it didn't have that cliché type of a happy ending. I highly recommend this to film lovers, not movie goers, there is a big difference. You will not be disappointed.

I am genuinely surprised by the negative/indifferent reviews of this film. I found the story line original and well- paced. The performances by the two leads were exceptional, entirely plausible and soulful. Whilst I have seen criticism for the lack of character depth, it must be said that the movie's length did not allow for this. In any case, I think that it is not difficult for the audience to grasp both characters' 'back stories' and identify with the innocence of their mutual affection; the male lead having been incarcerated most of his adult life and the female lead seeing him as her saviour. A warm, well-acted film with an "oh no!!!!" moment at the end.I do hesitate to label anything a 'chick flick' but I anticipate the story line may appeal to a more sensitive audience.