cinesue

a moral dilemma played out in real life, Dec 12 2011

Based on a true event in Algeria in the mid nineties, we see the interruption of everyday life of nine monks who live a quiet, contemplative life in a secluded mountain village of mostly Muslims. The monks help the villagers with medical aid and everyone interacts peacefully, even joining each other in interfaith celebrations.
However, government forces and local Muslim terrorists interfere with the peaceful co-existence.
As viewers we get to see the intensely personal struggle each monk goes through to decide whether to leave or to remain in the face of impending doom. The tense moments are interspersed with scenes of quiet religiousity as the monks perform their daily… Read more

dark, old fashioned melodrama, Dec 12 2011

The viewing simply did not live up to the glowing reviews on Rotten Tomatoes et al.
The story is Dickension because of the time period but I had expected that excellent performances might have added something new or enlightening.
The acting was somewhat mundane and the whole movie was dark in both narrative and scenery. Some scenes in the interior of the old mansion were so dark that the characters could barely be seen.
If you like predictable, trite melodrama this is for you.