“Beyond Borders” (Paramount Pictures)
“Beyond Borders” is a love story set against the backdrop of the efforts of those involved with the refugee relief program. This makes it a movie worth taking note of because of the elements involved. Angelina Jolie and Clive Owen are the stars of the film and provide the star power necessary to get the audience’s attention. With good stars and a strong story the movie should be a smash. It doesn’t even make a ripple.
The love story between Sarah Jordan (Jolie) and Nick Callahan (Owen) is more fizzle than flame. Both stars generate enormous sex appeal, but not with each other. He smolders, she smolders, but they don’t start any fires together. Maybe it is the idiocy of the script which has them meeting once every five years or so but staying madly in love.
When not drooling over Nick in places like Cambodia, Africa or Chechnya, Sarah lives the proper British life in London with her husband and children. This comes across as completely hypocritical and makes you not believe the passion the couple so strongly espouses.
Are they do-gooders Absolutely. She raises funds and awareness for the refugee programs, and he goes out and works as a doctor in the most primitive elements. This nobility of their characters just makes the silly love story that much more intrusive.
Jolie looks great and she handles the scenes of horror with the refugees believably. Since she is now some kind of United Nations ambassador for refugee aid, you believe her all the more.
Owen is the ugliest handsome man you will ever see. His features taken singularly are not appealing, but when they are taken together there is something there. Plus he has a virile element about him that makes you think he could take on armies and come out ahead. And that is what the role of Nick requires and gets.
The film is rated R for violence and profanity.
“Beyond Borders” could have been a very good movie if it had a better script and less soap opera. As it is, the film presents us with a noble cause that should be supported. That is why it is such a pity the love story gets in the way of absorbing the real message of the movie.
I scored “Beyond Borders” a beyond belief 4 out of 10.
