A Thousand Times Good Night (2013)

Wonderful character development!

Pretty Good

For all the hype it got I was expecting a lot more!

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

First, this is a very fine movie and I do recommend watching it. Beautiful cinematography, terrific and thoroughly believable script, a moving screenplay and excellent acting throughout by all involved.BUT, I found myself feeling such rage at the main character, Rebecca, that it is almost enough to make this viewing of the movie my last despite its many otherwise admirable qualities.What I'm referring to here is Rebecca's complicity, I would say participation, some would say acquiescence, in the atrocity committed by the suicide bomber(s). For a photo journalist to stand by and do nothing to assist those injured or killed in a suicide bombing after the event might possibly be understandable if not acceptable. But for a photo journalist to do more than witness and, I would argue, to become involved in the actions of a group of bloody terrorists is something else again. In my opinion, such acquiescence on the part of the photographer condones the act of suicide bombing, the act of killing innocents in the name of any bloody religion.Imagine the outrage had a photo journalist been a party to the bombing in Omagh all those years ago by attending to take photographs of the preparations for the bombing. Such complicity could and should be regarded as participation in the act and should carry whatever penalty that the law provides. This is essentially what Rebecca did in this movie and I was repulsed by her actions and her being involved in a deed as foul as suicide bombing rather than simply being on the spot in the aftermath of such a bombing. Yes, of course this is a moral judgement but it is nonetheless a valid one.As I said at the beginning, it is a very fine movie and it is very thought provoking. If, like me, you think you might be repulsed by the main character's actions and her participation in a deadly act or terror, then perhaps this is a good movie to avoid.

The opening scenes of his movie had me on the edge of my seat, it was a really powerful image and I thought if the movie continues like this I'm in for a hell of a ride. The first scene is misleading.That however did not make a bad movie, just a different one then I thought I was watching. While labelled as a war movie (well at least on IMDb anyway) this is far from one, but more instead a look at just how the life of these type of photographers can take on the life of their families. I real thought provoking watch.

War photographer Rebecca (Juliette Binoche) is filming a female suicide bomber's preparations. The bombing goes wrong and she is severely hurt. Back home with her family, her husband Marcus (Nikolaj Coaster-Waldau) is struggling to hold it together. He demands that she stop endangering herself. She relents and goes on a safe job in Kenya with their daughter Steph (Lauryn Canny). When gunshots ring out, she can't resist.This is a quiet poignant performance from Binoche. The wars have taken a toll on her and it shows in her eyes. She has this haunted look that is so effective in this movie. I wish the movie pushed the drama more because the story needs a more definitive climax. At one point, Rebecca takes her two daughters in her car. I really wish she had driven off with the girls. It's an opportunity to elevate the drama if she could break down at that point and then later return the kids home. It would make the final decision even more poignant.

I saw this at The Heartland Film Festival in Indianapolis this weekend. It's been 24+ hours since the movie ended, and it's themes are still with me. The horror of war..the difficulty balancing passion and pragmatism...what do children need from their parents... My mind changed such that the final take away is the theme of the film. Life is difficult and decisions have consequences. I want to have coffee with Rebecca and shake her. Tell her how much her children and husband need her..Tell her the sacrifice isn't worth it. Atrocities will continue. Taking pictures of suicide bombers does glamorous the cause. Taking pictures of deceased Africans doesn't bring them to life. Why are you so angry? For these reasons, I must recommend this film. It is not only well acted, but it creates and stirs up emotions, makes you think. Some time more than entertainment is demanded from a film.