Written by: Bruce Robinson
Directed by: Roland Joffé
Starring: Sam Waterston, Haing S. Ngor, John Malkovich, Craig T. Nelson
Rated: R
Watch the trailer
Plot
Based on a true story, reporter Sydney Schanberg reports on the atrocities in Cambodia during the reign of Pol Pot, guided by local reporter Dith Pran.
Verdict
Reporters go great lengths and the consequences are very real. Dith Pran continued to report despite what could happen and became enslaved by the Pol Pot regime. The images are staggering, with destruction and death permeating every scene. It maintains an intensity as danger is constant.
The movie is split into halves with reporters covering a dangerous civil war and the second half depicting the enslavement of the locals. The action and performances feel authentic, especially Ngor in his first role.
It depends.
Review
The film opens with reporter Sydney Schanberg (Sam Waterston) and photographer Rockoff having breakfast at an outdoor Cambodian cafe with Rockoff complaining. When a bomb explodes just yards away, Rockoff springs to action taking photos of the destruction while Schanberg is shocked at the devastation.
The images of a war torn country seen throughout the film are striking and intense.
Schanberg's relationship with the military and local embassy is tense as they would rather keep him out, for his safety more than anything.
Pran (Haing S. Ngor) evacuates his family but stays behind to continue reporting. While all of the reporters are in danger, Pran doesn't have a valid passport. While they scramble to forge one, it doesn't work. Schanberg evacuates to the states, trying to track Pran. He feels responsible.
Pran is in a labor camp, providing a voice over talking to Schanberg. I didn't know if the voice over was Pran recounting the events later or just his thoughts. If they are his thoughts, why address Schanberg directly?
Pran finally manages to escape and stumbles upon the killing fields where Pol Pot disposed of bodies. It's estimated that Pol Pot's regime murdered more than two million people.
This is contrasted with Schanberg who wins an award for his work in Cambodia. While he credits half of the award to Pran, their levels of sacrifice are vastly different. Rockoff accuses Schanberg of keeping Pran in Cambodia just to win the award. Schanberg does eventually locate Pran, reuniting him with his family.
The soundtrack doesn't always sound good, but it does usually add to the desired mood.
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