Watch An Ordinary Man
- R
- 2018
- 1 hr 30 min
-
5.7 (3,485)
An Ordinary Man is a drama/thriller movie directed by Brad Silberling and released in 2017. The movie is set in the Balkans and revolves around the strained relationship between an ex-war criminal known only as The General (played by Ben Kingsley) and his maid, Tanja (played by Hera Hilmar). The General is hiding in plain sight, living as an ordinary man and trying to avoid detection by the authorities who seek to bring him to justice for his war crimes.
At the beginning of the movie, The General is seen leading a reclusive life in an apartment in an unnamed Balkan city. He is guarded by a loyal and capable driver named Miro (played by Peter Serafinowicz) who helps him move around the city undetected. The General's only company is Tanja, a young woman who has been assigned to be his maid. Tanja is initially wary of The General and afraid that he might hurt her or worse. However, as the two spend more time together, they develop a bond based on mutual respect.
The uneasy peace of The General's life is shattered when he receives a call from an unknown woman who is seeking his help. The woman, who is not identified until later in the movie, is played by Bojan Bajcetic. She is in a desperate situation, having been captured by a group of Serbian police officers who are detaining her for reasons unknown. The General, who is initially reluctant to get involved, eventually agrees to help the woman out of a sense of obligation. With Tanja's help, he sets out to rescue the woman and bring her to safety.
The movie deals with several themes, including guilt, redemption, and the consequences of war. Ben Kingsley's character is haunted by the atrocities he committed during the Balkan War, yet he refuses to acknowledge the harm he caused. He sees himself as a victim of circumstance who was simply following orders. Hera Hilmar's character, on the other hand, represents innocence and hope. She is a young woman who is trying to make a life for herself in a war-torn country. Through her interactions with The General, she learns about the horrors of war and the toll it takes on people's lives.
The movie is beautifully shot, capturing the gloomy atmosphere of the Balkans in winter. The city is depicted as a place where danger lurks around every corner, and where violence is a constant threat. The apartment where The General lives is a symbol of his isolation and his need to hide from the world. The only glimpse of hope in the movie comes from the scenes where The General and Tanja take a walk in the city, enjoying the sights and sounds of everyday life.
The acting in the movie is top-notch, with Ben Kingsley delivering a powerful performance as The General. Kingsley is able to convey the complexity of his character, showing us the tormented soul beneath the cold exterior. Hera Hilmar is equally impressive as Tanja, bringing warmth and empathy to her role. The chemistry between the two actors is palpable, and their scenes together are some of the movie's highlights.
In conclusion, An Ordinary Man is a gripping movie that tackles weighty themes with sensitivity and nuance. It is a movie that makes the viewer think about the past, present, and future of the Balkans, and the impact that war has on ordinary people's lives. The movie is a testament to the power of cinema to tell meaningful stories and to evoke emotions in its viewers. If you're looking for a thought-provoking movie that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled, then An Ordinary Man is definitely worth watching.
An Ordinary Man is a 2018 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7 and a MetaScore of 52.