I had no high expectations before seeing this movie. I have not been a huge fan of Orlando Bloom nor of Forest Whitaker, but after seeing this movie, I admit my appreciation of both has significantly improved. This is a movie set in Cape Town, South Africa. Most of the scenes take place in the surrounding slums and shanty towns depicting a rather depressing and gloomy picture of contemporary post apartheid South Africa. Interracial interactions and painful legacy of the oppressive apartheid rule constitute a prominent part in this movie. Orlando Bloom plays Brian Epkeen, a detective in the Cape Town Serious Crimes Division, a man deeply burdened by his family's involvement in the oppressive white rule, a failed marriage and problematic relationship with his teenage son. All this pushed him into a life of binge drinking and one night stands that significantly affect his work and appearance. His closest colleague Ali Sokhela, played by Forest Whitaker, is a self made man burdened by the legacy of the oppressive white rule which indirectly led to the violent death of his father and to an injury that he suffered from the hands of the white oppressors which made his intimate life troublesome at least. His traumatic childhood left deep scars on his body and mind. They served as an impetus launching him into a successful carrier of a detective, a member of the same police division as the Bloom's character. The two not only work together but are also close friends. Their friendship seems to be built on mutual respect and understanding. Following a murder case they struggle to solve, the men gradually get sucked into a deeper conspiracy of destructive designer drugs, distribution networks and white supremacist's plans that awaken their personal demons and open the freshly closed wounds of the recent past. The events spiral swiftly into a fast unraveling chain of events that spare no one and make the already sad existence of the main characters even more miserable. The movie displays some signs of a low budget productions but those misgivings do not tarnish the end product, nor do they diminish the impression of a very decent production solidly based on good acting and very skillful direction. It was an unexpected pleasure to watch Orlando Bloom play the character of Brian Epkeen. It was very interesting to see him perform in the land of his father. Kudos to Mr. Whitaker and his admirable efforts to bring his character to life, breezing through the use of several languages in harmonious interaction with refreshingly fine South African actors and actresses. Particularly noticeable were, in my opinion, the actress who played his mother and Joelle Kayembe, a young actress who played Zina. My initial expectation of this movie was rewarded with a very interesting and educative experience. It can proudly stand next to any decent Hollywood production. I would recommend it to those people who are into thrillers and crime movies. They will not be disappointed.
