This has to be one of the most intelligent moving all encompassing films I have seen in many years. It was a movie about survival in a world that is morally bankrupt. There are so many aspects of it to dissect but I'll focus only on a few. Having an underlying storyline of end of life for dogs was a perfect metaphor. At the point that they come to the shelter, everything has irrevocably changed for these pups and it happens most times due to no error or fault of the dog. It's just that inevitable stage of their lives when no matter how happy or unhappy their prior life, this is now. There's no going back (a line used later in the movie - how clever) The scene where the protagonist comforts a newly arrived dog is very powerful. As forecasted by the dog storyline, the movie is also about broken systems and their impacts on human life. How they bring you to the brink. But there is, if not healing, then redemption. I appreciated the distinction made about 2 of our primary religions. I don't have to delve further because I'm not searching for a religion, but I appreciated the insight into what Islam at its best and most personal can mean. There's brokenness everywhere, and sadly often at the hands of white men, who seem to act with impunity and arrogance. But here's the surprise -the protagonist is white and he is the antithesis to that stereotype. Elizabeth Moss was amazing - so much depth over and beyond her Mad Men days. I get the love story although at times it felt implausible or rushed. But otherwise, truly excellent movie. I hope there is a book behind it somewhere.

The Free World is yet another movie meant to show the power or religion, though the religion of choice this time is Islam, not Christianity. So, at least they don't mention how there's a need to be saved.Mo(short for Mohamed) was recently released from prison for a crime he didn't commit. While working at an animal abuse shelter, a beaten dog is brought in. Mo's boss threatens to call the cops, but, lo and behold, a cop is the one that beat the dog. Just the first of the bad cops in this movie. There are no good ones.That evening, in front of the dog's cage in the shelter, he sees the owner, Doris (also the dog-beater's wife), passed out. HE takes her home with him, and later finds out she killed her husband and is on the run. The two then go on the run together, as she killed the man that was beating her.That's the basics of the story, but along the way we are shown multiple images of Mo washing his arms pre-prayer, praying, etc. His faith is raised multiple times through the story. He converted in prison, where the conversion brought him peace. It's banged over your head multiple times.Looks to me the director wanted to say, see, not all Muslims are bad, but they're all treated the same by those evil police.

Do film directors ever listen to moviegoers? They make their films for us or for themselves? Arguably whenever you create art you create something that does not then belong to you: it belongs to the people you made it for. If those people then say "We don't like what you made and would like changes..." does the director have a responsibility to take that criticism on board or does he have the right to deny them? I refuse to comment on this movie except to say that for very large portions of it I could not hear the dialogue. The music was so intrusive and the voices so indistinct that I had to replay large sections, then turn subtitles on so that I knew what was being said. If you produce a film that people have difficulty in watching and listening to because of the way you've made it then in my opinion it's not even worth 1 star. Sadly you can't give no stars so I did have to give it 1.

I really didn't expect much out of this film,but decided ill check it out.This is a well directed,well acted film. It left me touched,and appreciative of the experience. So many raw emotions.The story was evolving and engrossing,the characters,portrayed wonderfully with all their vulnerabilities and inner strength.The film showed characters,wounded from past experiences,rediscover hope in mutual past hurt and brutal experiences,build through it ,and evolve to have future and hope.Most of the film is a drama,but toward the end it speeds up to a thriller and even some action.Everything was conceived ,in my eyes ,to create this immaculate experience.