Review: Of Gods and Men

Review: Des hommes et des dieux (Of Gods and Men)

Rating: ****

Nonna's Rating: $$$$

Rotten Tomatoes: 92%

Audience: 79%

How often do you see a film about religion that isn't sappy or sentimental or overwrought in some way? Well, this one fits that bill. I can't say enough good things about this movie. In fact--full disclosure--I've already preached a sermon about it. It's wonderful. Difficult to watch, but wonderful.

The film tells the story of nine Trappist monks living in Algeria during the civil war of the mid-90s--a time when all foreigners, and especially Christians, were in danger of being killed by fundamentalist Islamic terrorists. These nine men must decide whether to stay -- and almost certainly die -- or go home to the safety of France. The movie depicts their individual struggles with the decision each must make. As viewers, at first we can't believe anyone would decide to stay. By the end of the film, we understand why these men remain -- in faith, in community, and in solidarity with the Islamic people they love who live near their monastery.

The film won second prize at Cannes in 2010, but, for some reason, was completely overlooked as a nominee for the Best Foreign Film Academy Award.

Nonna's Ratings:

$$$$ = Worth paying the Friday evening price
$$$= Worth paying the Matinee price

$$= Worth a rental
$ = Wait for cable
# = Skip it