Tears of the Sun

Fresh on the success of Training Day in 2001, Antoine Fuqua, came up with his 4^th full length feature in 2003 – Tears of the Sun.  For those who are familiar with the Fuqua style of direction, it would not come as too much of a surprise to see a hard hitting, tell it like it is type of narration.  And he doesn’t change his style one bit in this action flick which is built on the situation of Nigeria being taken over by a ruthless military dictator.  So you can expect a lot of violence, blood and enough of gore to make your stomach churn in acute distress.  There is enough action as well for those who are keen followers of the genre.

Lt. Waters (Bruce Willis) and his team of Navy SEALs are given an assignment of “search and rescue” for a certain Dr. Lena Fiore Kendricks (Monica Bellucci).  She works for Doctors without Borders to help the victims of the civil war in Nigeria.  Now why is a French hottie doctor being saved by some American Navy Seals? Turns out she is married to some hot shot American and it is important to save her from the mess.  Well Dr. Mrs. Kendricks says she is willing to come with Waters and Team if and only if the Navy Seals commit to taking all her hospital inmates along with them.  Talk about holding the government to ransom!!!! And what do you know – Lt. Waters’ heart melts for the sick people and the hot doctor and he decides to lend his services to the nobel cause.  Sigh. 

But then, on a serious note, that is what the movie is all about.  One line that sticks out like a sore thumb and stays with you for a while after the movie is over is - "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing".  This is a line by an Irish statesman called Edmund Burke.  The Right Honourable Edmund Burke totally knew what he was talking about and was bang on the button.  How many times have all of us good, bad or ugly not done something which was the right thing to do? Quite a bit I would guess when I count my own instances.  Guess all he and Fuqua are asking us to do is – something.  If there is an opportunity to correct some wrong then all we have to do to ensure that it stays is – nothing.  Interesting and perfect take I guess.

Tears of the Sun is a well made movie and worth watching either on DVD.  The performances from the cast are quite good.  Bruce Willis is – how can I put it – Bruce Willis. No other way to describe his effort.  Belluci looks stunning as always and I would be jealous of her boyfriend or husband – real or fictional – and in this case, I would not mind being her patient :P.  There are not too many other people in the movie to talk about.  The editing and cinematography are as good as Fuqua has always been.  A very good overall attempt.  I give it 7 on 10.

Watch the trailer at http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2962030873/