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| Viggo Mortensen stars in Far from Men |
The Good Samaritan
Rotten Tomatoes Plot: Algeria, 1954. While the rebellion rumbles in the valley, two very different men thrown together by a world in turmoil are forced to flee together across the Atlas Mountains. In the midst of an icy winter, Daru (Viggo Mortensen) the reclusive teacher, has to escort Mohamed (Reda Kateb) a villager accused of murder. Pursued by horsemen seeking summary justice and vengeful settlers, the two men decide to confront the unknown. Together they fight to gain their freedom. Directed by David Oelhoffen.
Oelhoffen's Far from Men is a perfect example of "less is more," amidst the usual avalanche of bigger, louder, pricier films vying for your attention. It's a small story, set in an even smaller corner of nowhere; but it's blessed with brilliant, upstanding characters (superbly portrayed by Mortensen & Kateb) and some of the best cinematography (Guillaume Deffontaines) this side of $5 million. It's mostly serious (right over wrong, steadfast convictions) but there are moments of kindness and levity as well, "You shout at your class like that?" that pop up at opportune times. 3:10 to Yuma, only kinder.
Grade: B+
