Watch Act of Grace

Act of Grace is an enthralling action-thriller-drama from 2008, directed by Noreen Kershaw, that explores the moral complexities of war and friendship. The movie's title encapsulates the central theme of the film - how can mankind act with grace when they're in the middle of a battlefield, fighting for their very survival? The movie follows the story of three British soldiers - Private John Newton (Benjamin Adnams), Private Charlie Mole (Michael Dixon), and Private Tony Green (Chike Chan). These three soldiers are a team, and they respect and trust each other entirely.

The trio is fighting in Basra, Iraq, in 2003. The footage of the war-torn streets creates a vivid backdrop for the movie's events, as the three soldiers patrol the deserted streets in order to pacify the area. But their presence goes almost unnoticed, with no action or enemies to fight. With the tension of combat eased, the soldiers engage in witty conversations that give the movie a dose of humor.

The story picks up when they find themselves ambushed while patrolling a back alley, and a young woman appears out of nowhere and kills Charlie Mole with a knife. This event creates a sense of trepidation and uncertainty as the remaining two soldiers try to evade the Iraqi insurgents hunting them down.

They took refuge in a house and were discovered by the family that lived there. The family, led by an Iraqi girl named Amal (Nathalie Cox), showed courage and helped them. Instead of handing them over to the enemy, they hide them in the attic, providing medical aid to John's injured leg.

As John and Tony wait for the backup to arrive, they struggle with their conscience, asking themselves whether to trust their hosts or shoot their way out into the street. As they hide together, the film takes a deeper turn towards the soldiers' relationships and the meaning of courage.

Despite Amal's kindness, John's biases against Iraqis lead him to believe that she's working with the enemy. Meanwhile, Tony shows a more reasonable approach towards the situation. This lack of trust sets the stage for a tense and suspenseful climax.

The movie explores the moral dimensions of war where the soldiers defend their national interest but face difficult moral choices in the process. In this case, should they trust the kindness of a family that only moments ago would have killed them for being Western soldiers? Or should they take their chances in the war zone?

Act of Grace takes care to portray the Iraqi people respectfully, highlighting the kindness and courage of Amal and her family without resorting to stereotypes or vilifying any party.

Throughout the movie, the main characters face questioning to their belief systems through their experiences during the war. John represents the disillusionment with the war and internal turmoil that many soldiers feel. Tony represents the soldier who is determined to do his job with excellence, but also maintains a level of empathy and respect towards those affected by his actions.

The performances of the actors were excellent, and their chemistry made it easier for the audience to immediately empathize with their characters.

The pacing of the movie is even, allowing the audience to digest the story and interact with the characters. The cinematography is immersive, capturing the bleak, war-torn landscape and the devastation of war accompanying it.

Act of Grace is a deeply emotional and engaging exploration of the human cost of war, with a haunting and powerful message to deliver. The movie was well-received by audiences and critics alike, and it still resonates with themes that connect to modern-day conflicts.

Act of Grace is a 2008 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0.