Of Gods and Men/ Des Hommes et des Dieux

(15)
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Tookey's Rating
	8 /10

Average Rating
	8.22 /10

Starring
Lambert Wilson , Michael Lonsdale , Olivier Rabourdin
Full Cast >

Directed by: Xavier Beauvoisr
Written by: Xavier Beauvois, Etienne Comar

Released:	2010

Genre:	DRAMA FOREIGN

Origin:	France

Length:	122

A heartfelt parable.

Reviewed by Chris Tookey

Of Gods and Men must be a strong contender to win Best Foreign Film at next year’s Oscars. It’s a celebration – at times straying perilously close to a hagiography – of eight French monks who fell foul of Islamic fundamentalism in 1990s Algeria.

Writer-director Xavier Beauvois has made an elegantly austere film, though he can not resist ladling on the syrup in a “last supper” scene that will have some members of the audience reaching for their handkerchiefs, and others for their sick-bags.

The weakness of the piece lies in the slow pace and predictable arc of the narrative. This makes it more of a leisurely parable than a gripping thriller, but it’s saved from sermonising by its realism and fine performances.

The monks are saintly but not boringly so, and the leading actors – especially Lambert Wilson and Michel Lonsdale – approach their roles with sensitivity. There is a persuasive sense of rising tension and jangling nerves.

It is rare these days in the cinema to see religious faith treated with respect, and that goes too for the peaceful side of Islam.

The message of tolerance is all the more timely in the season of goodwill towards all men - except of course the executive committee of FIFA.

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