Beyond Borders (2003)

Beyond Borders is a well-meaning if somewhat confused film about an idealistic socialite named Sarah whose life takes dramatic turns when a weary relief worker doctor named Nick (played by Clive Owen) crashes a fundraiser she is at with a starving Ethiopian child in tow and challenges those in attendance to do something. Angelina Jolie stars as Sarah, who goes off on humanitarian quests attempting to help those in need around the world while facing great dangers and the distance between herself and her own family in her desire to make a difference. The film uncomfortably hints at romantic feelings between the two main characters amid the violence, desperation and horror of civil unrest, war and famine during such events as the Ethiopian drought, Cambodian civil war and conflict in Chechnya-Sarah is married, and tries to remain faithful to her family while being drawn to Nick for support and survival while intrigued by his charisma and passion. The relationship struggles, as does the film to reach a proper balance-more effort is put into banging the viewer on the head with visuals and messages about poverty, disease and various levels of apathy and corruption as well as the mindless destruction and near-hopelessness of their aid missions. Sad, a bit all over the map and unsure of its core message.

Erik M.