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| Idris Elba |
The brutal, unflinchingly intense new drama "Beasts of No Nation" is one of the toughest films of recent memory to watch, but the thought-provoking story and acting will stay with you long after you leave the theater. In West Africa, the life of young Agu (Abraham Attah) is disrupted when his father is slaughtered in a civil war and he is inscripted as a child soldier into a mercenary unit led by the sadistic Commandant (Idris Elba). Directed, written, produced and photographed by Cary Joji Fukunaga ("Sin Nombre," and Emmy-winner for the first year of TV's "True Detective") in stunning detail, the powerful, uncompromising "Beasts of No Nation," based on the novel of the same name from Nigerian author Uzodinma Iweala, it's one of the year's best, must-see films. Along with Fukunaga's masterful direction and intense photography, the highlight is the incredible performances from young 15-year old Ghanaian actor Attah in his debut turn as the boy thrust into a bloody world of a war he doesn't completely understand, as well as Elba as the brutal leader who become a surrogate, father-like figure to Agu. Attah perfectly captures the struggle between adolescence and soldier, and growing up much too quickly in a culture that demands it; his bloody initiation by Commandant is one of the film's toughest scenes to watch, as he must kill an innocent, unarmed man; expect also many other harsh scenes of many dead bodies, blood and body parts. The engrossing "Beasts" is a tad too long, the last act is a little redundant and drawn-out, but still fascinating enough to keep you engaged throughout. Its brutality may not be for everyone, but you won't soon forget its fearless portrait of a young, unsure soldier in the line of fire. Expect to see accolades for this film, especially for Attah and Elba, along with Fukunaga. "Beasts of No Nation" is currently in limited release in theaters and also streaming on Netflix, who also produced and distributed the film.
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