Catch and Release (2007)

Catch a Fire
I teach a Catholic Social Justice Course and purchased the video to enable students in their independent study to better understand some of the issues presented in the film. I think it was very helpful and would recommend the film to anyone who might want to approach some of these issues with young people. That is where we need to start in helping to build peace in our world.

well done
above average "based on fact" film. The actors work hard to carve out their personalities, and it sticks with you. What would you do?

Enlightening
This is an excellent movie. I am shocked to see some other reviewers wanted facts omitted, or excitement added. This is based on a true story. I think we are all too used to the Hollywoodized "true" stories, or docudramas based VERY loosely on fact. I watched and purchased this movie to have a deeper understanding of the events in South Africa as seen from the people caught in the middle. This movie does that, and it does it well. To me, any depiction of "perfect" hero-characters rings false. Hollywood has already rewritten enough history, and from what I understand, this movie does not do that. Too many people already run around sounding ridiculously foolish discussing "history" based on embellishments of movie-makers that are simply untrue.

There are periods that are certainly slower than an action-packed thriller, but by all means FAR more engaging than a History channel narrative. It kept my attention throughout the entire film. We are able to see the living conditions of the South African population while under oppressive white rule. The lead character, Patrick Chamusso (played by Derek Luke), is more successful than most. To consider that his life, as poor as it was, was easier than many others is absolutely heartbreaking. Tim Robbins does an excellent job portraying the white viewpoint in the conflict. He fails to confront the reality that the actions that turned Chamusso from a law abiding citizen into a terrorist were not isolated. Rather they were representative of the entire conflict. Terrorist are not born, they are created. Using this one word to pigeon-hole any who rebel against a government is irresponsible. If the colonists in the United States had lost the fight for freedom from England, history would refer to them as terrorists as well. In the context of South Africa, it was the white man who created the conflict, then cried foul when the oppressed rose up to demand their rights. This movie effectively delivers that point.

The movie finally shows people a view of the conflict through the eyes individuals, not governments or organizations. The conflict is personalized. Like Lord of War, Blood Diamond, and The Constant Gardener, it provides viewers an inside look at a continent we are too quick to ignore or dismiss. However, I believe this movie surpasses all of those because it REALLY happened, and was NOT glamorized. If you'd like to learn more about the lives of South Africans during Apartheid, and be kept engaged as you learn it, this is a movie for you. If you want constant excitement, Pirates of the Caribbean's third installment should be due out soon.