This film revolves around the relationship built up between Donald Woods, a white South African journalist portrayed by Kevin Kline and Steve Biko, a Black South African civil rights leader played by Denzel Washington, who is fighting against the ruthless government of Apartheid in that country in the late seventies.
The first part of the film (an hour and a half more or less) is undeniably the best one from my point of view. The fantastic interaction between the main actors,their compelling dialogues and great perfomances definitely contribute to it.
Unfortunately however, after a tragedy happens, the film loses intensity and pace by focusing too much on the figure of Donald Woods and the hardships he goes through rather than on what the main topic of the film should be: The struggle against Apartheid of a black man.
All in all, I am of the opinion that this is a good and necessary film with a crucial message we all should be aware of. Nevertheless, I also believe that, as one of the most important historical leaders in the struggle against institutionalised bigotry in South Africa, Steve Biko's character deserved to carry a bit more weight in the film. That way, Cry Freedom would have been better and more convincing in my opinion.
The first part of the film (an hour and a half more or less) is undeniably the best one from my point of view. The fantastic interaction between the main actors,their compelling dialogues and great perfomances definitely contribute to it.
Unfortunately however, after a tragedy happens, the film loses intensity and pace by focusing too much on the figure of Donald Woods and the hardships he goes through rather than on what the main topic of the film should be: The struggle against Apartheid of a black man.
All in all, I am of the opinion that this is a good and necessary film with a crucial message we all should be aware of. Nevertheless, I also believe that, as one of the most important historical leaders in the struggle against institutionalised bigotry in South Africa, Steve Biko's character deserved to carry a bit more weight in the film. That way, Cry Freedom would have been better and more convincing in my opinion.