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.
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LordCommandar11 February 2017
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Horst_In_Translation19 January 2017"The Free World" is an American 100-minute movie from 2016, so relatively new still. It received several nominations, for example at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival. The writer and director is Jason Lew, who was mostly known for writing the Mia Wasikowska movie "Restless" so far. This one here is his second effort as writer and very first as director. And taking that into account, it is a pretty decent outcome. This is the story of a man who was released from jail and apparently he got convicted for something he didn't do. Anyway, he is free again now, in the free world mentioned in the title, but still struggles, mostly because of police officers who try to make his life a living hell. This refers mostly to Sung Kang's character who keeps following the protagonist throughout the film, even shows up at his workplace. His interrogation scene with the protagonist being the dog in the cage and him being outside was one of my favorites from the entire movie. Nice metaphoric value there. Kang and Octavia Spencer play the most significant supporting characters and you can see them somewhat as the contrary parts of goodness and evil when it comes to how they treat the central character. The latter is played by Boyd Holbrook and I think he does a really good job, especially in the more quiet parts which are really 85% of the film. His character runs into Elisabeth Moss' character and it turns out he needs to help her in hiding something terrible that could easily backfire at him. But the compassion he learned while in jail and also the strong influence of his conversion to Islam only allow one result: He has to help her. of course, physical attraction also plays a role, but how can you not be attracted to Elisabeth Moss, especially in that dress she wears in the second half. She once again manages to be awkwardly stunning as she always is, also on "Mad Men for example.
So the cast is actually really good, a Golden Globe winner is on board with Moss and Oscar winner Spencer does what she has to do, even if admittedly it is just her usual shtick and she really feels almost the same regardless of where she is in, at least judging from what I have seen her so far, which is not everything, but still quite a bit. Kang was also a good casting choice, even if his character is as gimmicky and one-dimensional as Spencer's. He makes the character work somehow. I am also glad that his character does not sit int he police car at the end because this would have been really unrealistic to be honest. Instead, the film manages to go for convincing realism on all occasions basically and I never ever had the impression that I was watching actors instead of characters. Of course, there were a few scenes that I did not like as much for example the one at the very end shortly before they get caught and the way he takes all the guilt while she runs away did not really fit too well, especially as she liked/loved him and would not want him to be charged for what she did. Then again, maybe she was already too far away to hear it. The very final scene was uplifting once again and while I have no problem with going for unhappy endings (possibly him dying from the gunshot wounds), I still believe that Lew made a wise decision in ending the film the way he did. I enjoyed the watch and if this film hits theaters near you at some point in the future, you should check it out. Most likely, you will not regret it as Holbrook and Moss are really tremendous and they also had great chemistry I think. It's easy to care for the story and characters and what would happen to them, even if they may have lacked real depth or shades on some occasions. Thumbs up from me. -
demita531 April 2018I give this movie five stars because it held my attention. However, I held back the additional five stars because the main character made so many unnecessary, bad decisions that I wanted to scream at him to just stop. The first bad decision was not calling the police when he found her with the dogs. Then he was dumb enough to take her to his apartment, WHAT? I wanted to stop watching at that point, but I kept watching. Maybe that was a bad decision on my part.
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I loved the fact that the man who was seen as an animal, was in fact the most tender of heart, as is often the case. The police man in a position of power was a coward a bully and an awful shell of a man. The savage, the incarcerated animal, a tender lamb. I've always believed a man should be a savage, one that controls the beast , and so becomes genital , self deprecating and humble. This was perhaps one of the few movies to paint this picture. Fantastic acting by both the main cast. It reminds people that a movie does not need a 1000 special effects and a 100 explosions to be engaging.
I found it by accident, not well publicised on Amazon- and it was a true gem. -
kevin_robbins18 November 2022The Free World (2016) is a movie that I recently watched on Tubi. The storyline follows a young man who has spent his life in juvenile hall and/or prison and is finally out and trying to adjust to society. He is taken in by an animal shelter for work and given a place to live. One inauspicious day an abused woman shows up on his doorstep after she killed her husband. The young man knows his guest is a threat to his freedom but an opportunity for friendship is too good to pass up. As their fondness for each other grows, society's pressure on their circumstances threatens to burst their bubble.
This movie is written and directed by Jason Lew in his directorial debut and stars Boyd Holbrook (Logan), Elisabeth Moss (Handmaid's Tale), Octavia Spencer (The Help), Austin Amelio (The Walking Dead) and Sung Kang (The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift).
This picture has a unique storyline with well written characters and circumstances. The settings are also well selected. The movie does a great job of keeping a dark cloud over the situations even if glimpses of hope emerge. The cast is very impressive and delivers their characters to perfection. It is easy to buy into the scenes and situations even if they are not relatable or how'd you handle them. The ending escape scene is absolutely tremendous and realistic even if it is a bit predictable.
Overall, this is a well put together picture with fascinating characters and great acting. I would score this a 7/10 and recommend seeing it once. -
stevelomas-6940111 August 2019Great acting from both the leads in this solid relationship drama. It is a slow burner and there are a few odd storyline descisions but on the whole it is an interesting slice of hot southern intolerance. My main gripes would be the very obvious ending/parallel with the dogs home and the part in the smugglers warehouse. With a little more depth and exploration this could've been great rather than interesting.
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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. -
sadsajith15 April 2017Really surprised to see how good this movie for a such an underrated one. Beautiful story, wonderful script, great directing, and wonderful performance from actors. Even though the genre is drama, the story has a very nice flow that doesn't let the audience look away even for a moment. And most of the credit should go to the actors, specially the two leading actor and actress. Great work.
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hillwalker300011 April 2020I'm not sure how anyone can give this 10 stars. The plot is wafer thin, the dialogue mostly incomprehensible (characters either whisper incessantly for no apparent reason, or mutter their lines, or battle against a pack of barking dogs for most of the movie) and 75% of the scenes are shot in near darkness so it's impossible to figure out (or even care) what's going on. I found myself fast-forwarding to those bits where it was possible to actually see anything. The male lead who portrays a rather unlikeable ex-con with an inability to cope in the outside world sleepwalks through the movie, and the wonderful Elizabeth Moss is wasted as a weak, socially inept victim of marital abuse. If you chose to watch this for her performance, don't bother. It's pretty lame.
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redproton8820 June 2017Like another reviewer, I too am really surprised by the low rating. I am so glad I decided to ignore the rating and give this movie a chance. The acting is suburb by both leads and supporting actors. Both Moss and Holbrook performances are stellar. Their pasts and pain meld and bond them together.
I am not going to reveal any of the story, but it is a subtle, sparse, intense and moving indie film. It is not a light movie that will make you feel warm and fuzzy. It's not meant to be. It shows the world realistically with all of its injustice, cruelty and yet also shows compassion. It is a movie that I know will stay with me for a long time.
If you are a fan of indie films with suburb acting and a story with depth I highly suggest giving it a watch. -
dqrynp25 April 2021Starts with promise but quickly becomes unrealistic and improbable. It has no redeeming qualities and any message is totally obscured by the meaningless premise of the story.
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ginjaninja-4390715 February 2023I don't get these high ratings. Who would walk into work and find a woman out of her mind and covered in blood then throw her over your shoulder and being her home and hide her from the police? Even if your an ex con it's absurd..nothing good can come of it, not even a piece of azz. Lol. When they eventually do get caught he will be suspected of helping her kill her husband. They are sleeping together. It's just ridiculous. And making the main character a Muslim the writer/director want us all to know that all Muslims aren't bad. Yeah we know this. But just in case they didn't know a Muslim would not work with dogs. Dogs are nagis (impure) just like pigs are. And what he said about confession is just absurd. Not all Christians confess to others, it can help, but they only have to confess to God, like Muslims Allah. I'm an agnostic skeptic but I have studied religions. Muslims ask for forgiveness in there daily prayers. And it just dragged and the absurd decisions never ended. And all the police were immoral and dirty who persecuted him constantly. So unrealistic. Also if the man was a Christian it would be labeled a Christian film but since it's a Muslim it's revalatory and meaningful. I couldn't even finish it. Skip it unless you wanted to be frustrated and your a masochist.
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robert-frump13 June 2017No 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.
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saintsimuk18 January 2017I 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. -
jeroduptown21 February 2022The Free World starts with a fairly original idea of an innocent ex-con and a battered woman finding solace in each other. But in an attempt to escape, the plot derails and it comes to a jail-cell ending.
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kwhonder31 May 2018This has to be one of the most intelligent moving all encompassing films I have seen in many years. It was a movie about survival in a world that is morally bankrupt. There are so many aspects of it to dissect but I'll focus only on a few. Having an underlying storyline of end of life for dogs was a perfect metaphor. At the point that they come to the shelter, everything has irrevocably changed for these pups and it happens most times due to no error or fault of the dog. It's just that inevitable stage of their lives when no matter how happy or unhappy their prior life, this is now. There's no going back (a line used later in the movie - how clever) The scene where the protagonist comforts a newly arrived dog is very powerful.
As forecasted by the dog storyline, the movie is also about broken systems and their impacts on human life. How they bring you to the brink. But there is, if not healing, then redemption. I appreciated the distinction made about 2 of our primary religions. I don't have to delve further because I'm not searching for a religion, but I appreciated the insight into what Islam at its best and most personal can mean. There's brokenness everywhere, and sadly often at the hands of white men, who seem to act with impunity and arrogance. But here's the surprise -the protagonist is white and he is the antithesis to that stereotype. Elizabeth Moss was amazing - so much depth over and beyond her Mad Men days. I get the love story although at times it felt implausible or rushed. But otherwise, truly excellent movie. I hope there is a book behind it somewhere. -
I am at a lost for words. Any word that I utter will not describe this movie. It was brilliant. It was heart felt. The movie had every emotion in it that one could describe. It was: dramatic, funny, adventurous, suspenseful, and made you want to watch more. I could watch this movie over and over again. The writer, director, actors and all of those who were involved in the making of this move should be commended. Am Oscar will not do this film any justice. It deserves so much more. This movie is a must see.
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darcek17 January 2017I really didn't expect much out of this film,but decided ill check it out.
This is a well directed,well acted film. It left me touched,and appreciative of the experience. So many raw emotions.
The story was evolving and engrossing,the characters,portrayed wonderfully with all their vulnerabilities and inner strength.
The film showed characters,wounded from past experiences,rediscover hope in mutual past hurt and brutal experiences,build through it ,and evolve to have future and hope.
Most of the film is a drama,but toward the end it speeds up to a thriller and even some action.
Everything was conceived ,in my eyes ,to create this immaculate experience. -
hometown305129 September 2018The sexiest kissing scenes I've seen in a long time. You could feel the heat. I am a big Elizabeth Moss fan and her leading man was also awesome. The first kiss, when they were under the tarp in the back of some old truck, steamed up my screen.
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douglasellice24 March 2017I thought at first that this was another of my Netflix mistakes. I sometimes queue a DVD for fleeting reasons, and then, when the disk arrives, I wonder "why did I want to watch this one?" I thought the lead actor was insanely good. Even the parts where he sullenly has nothing to say, his body language spoke volumes. I thought he was perfectly credible as a wounded man-child, having been falsely convicted in his early teens of something that I don't think was ever specified.
The female lead was also the victim of undeserved violence, a battered wife. I liked the way the screenplay took a while to make that clear.
My only complaint is that there were one or two spots in the film where the pacing got really slow. Since these 2 characters weren't free to move around a lot because of the threats against them, there were many cloistered moments during which they could only speak - but then again, neither wanted much to talk due to their situation/condition. -
juanmuscle3 September 2018Some bogus review on rotten tomatoes says, and I quote the movie doesn't know what it wants to be" like it needs a label to what satisfy some guy that uses words to describe an artists work "while Lew certainly has some talent behind the camera, the structure, pacing, and tone of the movie leave much to be desired." I don't think anyone who has ever not created anything can use words such words: structure, pacing and tone of a tale... a tale is a tale, what do these people want, he is on parole and she is on the lamb, if they stay together which is inevitable because they fond for each other and with time that connection will grow, its a ticking time bomb, its either break it and go their separate ways or stay together and fae dire consequences... so I don't understand, OK, here's your label Love/rom/thriller/I don't know, violent - oh and hte guy makes a comment about it being morally murky? what does that even mean? Its two make believe people, in a make beleive story that someone put toghetr so we can chilax and watch it... wtf?
I was stunned on how the ending made me feel, a true work of art -
adpj-642841 April 2022Having read mixed reviews I wasn't sure what to expect but watched it mainly for Elizabeth Moss. Pretty simple and predictable story but the performances of the two leads lifts this movie, I thought it was a brilliant piece of movie making.
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svetlanakruglova2 October 2018Enjoyed the movie , the actors are brilliant . The story touches your heart and hurts with the ending that restores hope . Would love to see more from this director .
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nikkigassner8 July 2018First off all, I can't believe this low rating. Moss and Holbrook play their roles perfectly as two people who've been through the worse of it. I can't be sure, but it seems like the director allowed the actors the freedom to play off each other which created plenty of natural, raw moments. The camera work was wonderful; particularly, there's a scene with Holbrook on a bus and we just watch him and his expressions and it's a very telling moment that's captured seamlessly. We do feel for the characters even though their relationship can feel rushed at times. Overall, this is one of my favorite movies. I highly recommend it; the performances are ones to remember.