Somehow, mostly through the impassioned performances of its young actors, the film finds its footing in the third act, as the narration goes quiet and tragedy unfolds with precision, even elegance.
60
New York Daily NewsJoe Neumaier
New York Daily NewsJoe Neumaier
This crisp, involving South African drama comes at you in waves, changing course and tone expertly.
The film presents a stark choice: seek escape in vengeance and blame, or gamble on the freedom gained by embracing a new world, however scarred it may be.
50
Village VoiceMichael Atkinson
Village VoiceMichael Atkinson
Tiresomely simple, the film introduces a subplot involving betrayal and political informants in the eleventh hour, but by then you're either smitten by these guileless Zulu lads experiencing "freedom" on the waves or you've checked out.
25
Slant MagazineGlenn Heath Jr.
Slant MagazineGlenn Heath Jr.
The film grows increasingly tiresome the more it flirts with melodrama, unraveling themes of jealousy, regret, and ambition in broad strokes.