A crime to heal

In My Country, directed by John Boorman, is set during South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation hearings in 1996. The proceedings, held in various parts of the country, gave those who had murdered and tortured their countrymen during apartheid a chance to confess their crimes in front of their victims. If they could prove their acts were politically motivated and exhibited sincere contrition, they were granted full amnesty.

Despite an unnecessary and ineffective romantic subplot, In My Country tells a unique and tragic story with enough power and dignity to overcome its relatively minor shortcomings.

Anna Malan (Juliette Binoche) is an Afrikaans poet covering the hearings for South African state radio and National Public Radio in the United States. Langston Whitfield (Samuel L. Jackson) is an African-American journalist on assignment for The Washington Post. When the two meet, they instantly clash over very different views of the hearings.

Anna is a firm believer of ubuntu, the African principle driving the hearings, which holds that harmony is better achieved by absolving transgressions than by seeking retribution. Langston is at first skeptical of the hearings and Anna’s sincerity as an Afrikaaner. But as he and Anna travel the country, they are gradually drawn together as the countless horrors of apartheid come to light in excruciating, heartbreaking detail.

It is a testimony to Boorman’s skill as a filmmaker that he has chosen to eschew the easy approach in favor of a more organic one. It would be tempting to make the movie as a conventional, manipulative romantic epic set against the backdrop of a tragic historical event.

Instead, Boorman (Deliverance, The Emerald Forest) chooses to put a human face on the tragedy that unfolds before us. As Anna and Langston travel across the majestic South African countryside, the audience gets to know not only the protagonists but also the various players in the hearings. The victims are not presented as saints, nor are the perpetrators presented as monsters. By getting to know these people, the tragedy becomes more real, which seems to be Boorman’s intention.

Although there is little sexual chemistry between the leads, Binoche and Jackson – both excellent actors – share a human connection as the film’s message of harmony and forgiveness is driven home.

There is an old saying: "When you plan revenge, bring two shovels; one for your victim and one for you."

In My Country, a well-made if not perfect film, urges mankind to choose forgiveness instead

In My Country
R
Starting tomorrow at Ritz theaters
Three reels out of four

Recommended rental

Sideways
R
Available Tuesday

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With the possible exception of Million Dollar Baby, few films captured critics’ attention like Sideways in 2004. Based on a novel by Rex Pickett, this unassuming road-trip movie won just about every best-film award except an Oscar (although it did take an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay). Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church play Miles and Jack, two longtime buddies who take a trip to the California wine country before Jack’s wedding. While on this little vacation from reality, the pals meet two attractive women (Virginia Madsen and Sandra Oh) with issues of their own.

Movie schedules until April 7 unless otherwise indicated.
Call theaters for updates.

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SOUTH PHILLY
United Artists Riverview Plaza
Columbus Blvd. and Reed St.
215-755-2219

*Sin City (R)
Fri.-Sun.: 12, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10:50

*Beauty Shop (PG-13)
Thu.: 12, 12:45, 1:30, 2:50, 3:35, 4:20, 5:40, 6:25, 7:10, 8:30, 9:15, 10
Fri.-Thu.: 12:30, 1:30, 3:10, 4:10, 5:50, 6:50, 7:50, 8:45, 9:45, 10:30

*Guess Who (PG-13)
Thu.: 12:30, 1:15, 2, 3:15, 4, 4:45, 6, 6:45, 7:30, 9, 9:45, 10:30
Fri.-Thu.: 12:15, 1:15, 2:50, 3:50, 4:40, 5:30, 6:30, 7:20, 8:10, 9:10, 10:10, 10:55

*Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous (PG-13)
Thu.: 12:15, 1, 1:45, 3, 3:45, 4:30, 5:50, 6:35, 7:20, 8:45, 9:30, 10:20
Fri.-Thu.: 1:40, 4:30, 7:30, 10:20

*Ice Princess (G)
Thu.: 1:10, 3:50, 6:40, 9:10
Fri.-Thu.: 12:20, 2:40, 5:15

*The Ring Two (PG-13)
Thu.: 12:05, 2:45, 5:25, 8:05, 10:40
Fri.-Thu.: 12:10, 2:45, 5:25, 8:05, 10:40

*Hostage (R)
Thu.: 1:25, 4:25, 7:15, 10:10
Fri.-Thu.: 1:25, 4:25, 7:15, 10:05

*Robots (PG)
Thu.: 12:10, 2:15, 5, 7:35, 10:15
Fri.-Thu.: 12:05, 2:25, 5:05, 7:35, 10:15

*The Pacifier (PG)
Thu.-Thu.: 11:55 a.m., 2:30, 4:55, 7:25, 9:55

*Be Cool (PG-13)
Thu.: 12:40, 3:25, 6:30, 9:20
Fri.-Thu.: 12:40, 3:25, 6:20, 9:20

*Diary of a Mad Black Woman (PG-13)
Thu.: 1:05, 4:05, 7, 10:05
Fri.-Thu.: 1:45

*Cursed (PG-13)
Fri.-Thu.: 4:05, 9:30

*Constantine (R)
Fri.-Thu.: 1:05, 6:40

*Hitch (PG-13)
Thu.-Thu.: 1:20, 4:15, 7:05, 9:50

CENTER CITY

Ritz at the Bourse
400 Ranstead St.
215-925-7900

*The Ballad of Jack and Rose (R)
Fri.-Thu.: 1:30, 4:15, 7, 9:45

*Sideways (R)
Fri-Thu.: 1:40, 4:2, 7:10, 9:55

*Million Dollar Baby (PG-13)
Fri.-Thu.: 12:40, 8:50

*The Upside of Anger (R)
Thu.: 11:45 a.m., 12:45, 2:20, 3:20, 4:55, 6:05, 7:25, 8:45, 10
Fri.-Thu.: 1:50, 3:30, 4:30, 6:10, 7:10, 9:50

*Downfall (R)
Thu.: 11:50 a.m., 3:05, 6:30, 9:40
Fri.-Thu.: 1:30, 5:10, 8:30

*Up and Down (R)
Thu.: 12, 2:30, 5:05, 7:35, 10:05 (Ends 3-31)

*Masculine Feminine (NR)
Thu.: 12:15, 2:40, 5:10, 7:35, 9:55 (Ends 3-31)

Ritz 5
214 Walnut St.
215-925-7900

*Millions (PG)
Fri., Wed.: 12:20, 2:45, 3:45, 5:10, 6:10, 7:30, 8:35, 9:55
Sat.-Tue, Thu.: 12:20, 1:20, 2:45, 3:45, 5:10, 6:10, 7:30, 8:35, 9:55

*Melinda and Melinda (PG-13)
Thu.: 12, 1, 2:15, 3:15, 4:30, 5:30, 6:45, 7:45, 9, 10
Fri., Sun. & Wed.: 12:15, 1:15, 2:40, 3:40, 5, 6, 7:25, 8:25, 9:50
Sat.: 12:15, 2:40, 5, 6, 7:25, 8:25, 9:50
Mon.: 12:15, 2:40, 3:40, 5, 6, 8:25, 10
Tue. & Thu.: 12:15, 1:15, 2:40, 3:40, 5, 6, 8:25, 10

*Walk on Water (NR)
Thu.-Thu.: 12:05, 2:30, 5:10, 7:35, 9:55

*Million Dollar Baby (PG-13)
Thu.: 1, 3:50, 6:40, 9:40 (Ends 3-31)
•Sideways (R)
Thu.: 1:40, 4:25, 7:10, 9:55 (Ends 3-31

Ritz East
Second Street Between Chestnut and Walnut
215-925-7900

*In My Country (R)
Fri.-Thu.: 12:20, 2:40, 5:05, 7:25, 9:45

*Travelers and Magicians (NR)
Thu.-Sun., Tue., Thu.: 12:30, 2:50, 7:35, 9:55
Mon., Wed,: 12:30, 2:40, 4:50, 10

*Gunner Palace (PG-13)
Thu.: 12:45, 3, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30 (Ends 3-31)

Roxy Theater
2023 Sansom St.
215-923-669

*Beauty Shop (PG-13)
Fri.-Thu.: 12:30, 2:45, 5, 7:15, 9:35

*Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous (PG-13)
Thu.-Thu.: 12:05, 2:35, 5:05, 7:35, 9:55

*Malevolence
Thu.: 11:30 a.m., 1:30, 3:30, 5:30, 7:30, 9:45 (Ends 3-31)