If you don’t like slow moving films then move along straight away because Of Gods And Men certainly isn’t the film for you, but if you do want to see a film that will totally engross you then it isn’t a movie that you should miss. Despite its slow moving ways Of Gods And Men sucks you right in and has you leaving the cinema convinced that you have just witnessed a film masterpiece.
Based on a true story Of Gods And Men tells the story of a group of French Catholic monks based at a monastery in Algeria when Muslim fundamentalists move into the area and beginning attacking people of other faiths. Led by Brother Christian (Lambert Wilson – The Princess Of Montpensier) and Brother Luc (Michael Lonsdale – Titeuf, le film, HH, Hitler A Hollywood) the monks continue to aid the local community with medicine and medical treatment while they privately argue whether they should trust in God and leave the area and return to France.
Director, Xavier Beauvois (Notre Ami Chopin, The Young Lieutenant) certainly doesn’t ‘nice-up’ the film for anyone. As you would expect there are long patches of the film where the monks sit in silence but this only serves as a way for the audience to better relate to the characters. They are peaceful people and these moments allow you to connect with them, and certainly makes sure that when they do talk that you listen. The moments of silence also make the scene with the helicopters (you’ll know what I mean when you see it) even more violent, and in a way makes your hatred for the Muslim fundamentalists even stronger. Beauvois is certainly a director that knows how to get his audience to think the way he wants them to think. He also manages to make such a sad story look eerily brilliant on the screen.
The acting in Of Gods & Men is so brilliant that you could actually be excused for thinking that it is a documentary. Led by Lambert Wilson the cast capture the characters to a T, and some people have actually left the cinema believing they are real monks and not actors. Hollywood certainly should wake up and begin casting Wilson in roles because he is one of the finest actors in France at the moment.
Of Gods And Men is a beautiful film that will certainly move you emotionally. It is graphic in parts but is a story that needs to be told. It is a must for lovers of serious cinema.
Year: 2010
Director: Xavier Beauvois
Stars: Lambert Wilson, Michael Lonsdale, Olivier Rabourdin
Classification: MA
Runtime: 122 mins
Rating: 
Available on DVD from 23rd November, 2011