VHS : Beyond Rangoon [1995]

Rating: - A Moving Story
Based on actual events, this film is a quietly moving portrait of a young woman numb with grief and a country fighting for democracy. The film works on both levels due to the deft direction of John Boorman, an understated performance from Patricia Arquette, and a wonderful score by Hans Zimmer that sets the mood for the entire film.

The film opens as Arquette and her sister, nicely played by Frances McDormand, are taking a tour down a beautifully scenic river in Burma. We learn immediately that Arquette has been brought there by her sister to forget, something she has been unable to do. We see in flashback Arquette walking in on her husband and young son, murdered during a robbery. It is something that has left her numb to everything and Patricia Arquette conveys this deadened state of the heart perfectly, letting us know with just a look the tremendous pain just below the surface, emotions so strong she dare not feel them. She has walked away from her life as a doctor because she can not heal her own pain.

Boorman shows us a visually beautiful country that like Arquette has deep emotions just below the surface. One night in her hotel room she hears a demonstration in the streets and is drawn to it, able to observe firsthand the power of democracy as one woman fearlessly calls for democracy in the midst of soldiers sent to stop her. But these are her sons and brothers and she bravely walks to them and lowers their weapons.

Dr. Laura Bowman (Arquette) becomes involved in this struggle for freedom when she is separated from her sister and forms a friendship with an elderly teacher and a group of young students who are seeking change. She learns of the government crackdown that has cost many their lives, as soldiers have fired into crowds of demonstrators. Laura wonders why the world has not heard about this and learns that no photo journalists are allowed to send words or pictures outside of the country. They must make their way to Thailand for safety. Boorman contrasts the dangerous journey down rivers and through jungles with the stunning beauty of the country itself.

Laura has found a place for her grief to dwell as she has unknowingly come to a place where millions are grieving. It slowly brings about a transformation in Arquette as she begins to live again, and in doing so starts the healing process. Beyond Rangoon is a film about the struggle for political change and the struggle within ourselves to find redemption.

Laura makes a life changing decision at the end of this film and we know she has begun to feel again. Patricia Arquette gives a truly natural and quietly moving performance that was somehow overlooked at Oscar time that year but you will never forget it once you own this truly origional film.

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Rating: - Very real, without being disturbing
Having a casual converstaion about the government and politics in most parts of the world is as normal as converstations about the weather. Except in Burma, where saying the wrong things can lead to torture and death. Members of my family have been very much affected by the horrors that the Burmese people have to endure under the current regime. I saw this film when it first came out, and although I knew just what was going on, it hit me very hard. I found it very well acted, very real, and very true. Not many people may know, but one of the men in the movie plays himself and in real life has been exiled from Burma. No one can ever really know what it is like to live under these conditions, never knowing if, working overseas, you will be able to go home and see your family, and at what cost. Although this movie focuses on the view of a foreigner, the struggle of the natives was very well portrayed. I have given the movie 5 stars because of the way the truth was portrayed, the beautiful scenery, and the great acting, even though there is no way for a viewer to know the depth of shame and fear that the Burmese people live in everyday. I liken Beyond Rangoon to Schindler's List, in the way it provokes emotions from deep down, that we never knew we could feel, and in the way that it doesn't put any frills on the truth that it portrays. I would recommend this film to anyone who seeks truth. If you enjoyed watching Schindler's List, and films like it, then you will most probably enjoy Beyond Rangoon.