Catch A Fire Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
The spark that ignites us, unites us.
This Fall stand for something
It takes one spark for an ordinary man to become a hero.
A political thriller: the real-life story of a South African hero's journey to freedom. In the country's turbulent and divided times in the 1980s, Patrick Chamusso is an oil refinery foreman and soccer coach who is apolitical - until he and his wife Precious are jailed. Patrick is stunned into action against the country's oppressive reigning system, even as police Colonel Nic Vos further insinuates himself into the Chamussos' lives.
| Tim Robbins | Colonel Nic Vos |
| Derek Luke | Patrick Chamusso |
| Bonnie Mbuli | Precious Chamusso |
| Mncedisi Shabangu | Zuko September |
| Tumisho Masha | Obadi |
| Sithembiso Khumalo | Sixpence |
| Terry Pheto | Miriam |
| Michele Burgers | Anna Vos |
| Mpho Lovinga | Johnny Piliso |
| Mxo | Pete My Baby |
| Jessica Anstey | Katie Vos |
| Charlotte Savage | Marie Vos |
| Nomhlé Nkyonyeni | Mama Dorothy |
| Michael Mabizela | Shaven Head Bomber |
| Eduan van Jaarsveldt | Special Branch Sergeant |
| Phillip Noyce |
6.70 out of 10 (1869 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Joseph Campbell in Africa
posted on 15 Jul 2009Catch a Fire is overly formulaic and doesn't have anything new to say about the apartheid. But it does look good and it's well acted and slickly directed. The film shares many plot similarities to other Joseph Campbell influenced narratives like the Star Wars movies or Braveheart. The film is set in South Africa in 1980. The film's reluctant hero is Patrick Chamusso who works as a foreman at the Secunda oil refinery. Patrick has a good life: he owns a car, has a beautiful wife and in his spare time, he coaches a local boys soccer team.The freedom fighters / terrorists of the African National Congress (ANC) are fighting to overthrow South Africa's white-led government. As a black man Patrick suffers the occasional humiliation at the hands of the country's police but he doesn't complain or get involved in politics. The film doesn't dwell on the fact that Patrick is a refugee from the Mozambique civil war which ended in 1992, with over 900,000 dying from fighting and starvation.In many Hollywood films white South Africans are often portrayed as evil and sadistic. Tim Robbins plays Nic Vos / Darth Vader a colonel in the country's anti-terrorism police. Vos is shown as a devoted husband and father but his job is to capture terrorists. After the ANC plants a bomb at the refinery, Patrick comes under suspicion and is arrested. Patrick is a womanizer and his initial alibi is exposed as a lie. He is beaten-up but when his wife is tortured he becomes angry and seeks revenge. Although found to be innocent and released, Patrick travels to Mozambique and joins an ANC terrorism school. He returns to South Africa and blows up the refinery. Patrick plays an unenthusiastic warrior who helps overthrow an evil regime. He is arrested again, and spends over ten years at the Robben Island prison with Nelson Mandela. Most recent films about Africa paint it in a negative light. They show corrupt, genocidal hellholes, child soldiers, wide-scale barbarism, anarchy and starvation. What happened in South Africa now seems relatively low key by comparison. The film also fails to shock because TV shows like 24 seem to condone torture in terrorist interrogations. With the present day reality of prisons like Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo the actions of Vos and his men seem almost tame. Overall, it's a well-made movie.
Worth a look
posted on 13 Jul 2009As I started watching this movie, I thought Apartheid movies are like Holocaust movies---they are all the same theme repeated over and over again with minor variations. But something about this unfolding picture made me resist the eject button. One factor was, I think, that the Tim Robbins character was magnetically unpredictable. It was hard to predict what kind of a person he would ultimately turn out to be. Secondly, and maybe I missed something at the outset or went in with imperfect knowledge of the circumstances of the film, but only quite late in the picture did I realize that this was a biographical flashback of a national hero. That was refreshing to me. Heroic biopics generally seem to be trying too hard to lionize their subject. And finally, from all aspects of cinematography that a casual user like me can address, the picture was not that badly done. So, if you haven't seen many Apartheid-themed movies and would like to see a decent one, this would be a respectable choice. As a political aside, I found myself hoping that at least a few Americans would watch this picture and say "Hey, that's what we do to suspected terrorists, too!", and consider whether right and wrong are not all that easy to distinguish.
Catch An Incredible Story
posted on 08 Jul 2009"My children, when they speak of their father, they will say he was a man who stood up for what was right, a man who said he must do something now. What will your children say about you?"
Cast largely with unknowns with the exception of Tim Robbins and Derek Luke (Antwone Fisher), "Catch A Fire" is a fascinating film based on even more fascinating true events. The film tells the story of a little known South African named Patrick Chamusso, a man who became a political activist and a criminal only after he was wrongly accused of a crime. When the Sasol oil refinery at Secunda is bombed in 1980, an intense investigation is launched by an anti-terrorist organization headed by Nic Vos (Robbins). Vos and his team of investigators seize Patrick and other Secunda employees from their homes, coercing them to confessions by using excruciating forms of torture. When Patrick cannot establish a rock solid alibi due to his reluctance to reveal his infidelity (something his wife Precious has long suspected), Vos begins to kill him with kindness, sitting him down at his dinner table with his own family, a grim reminder for Patrick that Precious and their daughters are without the stability of his income.
When Patrick still cannot confirm his whereabouts the day of the bombing, Vos uses a technique that has Chamusso surrendering to his will, only to be vindicated after lying again to save his family. Once he is released, the brutal elements of his brief captivity catapult him into the strong-armed Umkhonto we Sizwe, a militant branch of the African National Congress. Long chiding his mother-in-law for lending an ear to ANC's radio programs, he is now a listener himself as well as an elite member who comes to be known by the codename of "Hot Stuff". Angered by the constant death and oppression of his native people, Chamusso instigates another bombing at Secunda, one that he hopes will pillage the inexcusable hostilities of apartheid through the destruction of its industrial livelihood.
I consider it a personal accomplishment on Philip Noyce's (Clear and Present Danger, The Bone Collector) part when I watched this film and paid little heed to the actors because the story is the fundamental centerpiece. What you get as far as acting, however, is outstanding. Luke showcases exactly why he is a rising talent with his moving portrayal of Patrick Chamusso, a man torn by his heart's convictions and his love for his family. Luke was fortunate enough to be able to sit down with the real Patrick and the two of them even enjoyed a light game of football (soccer), which is shown among an interview with Patrick immediately before the end credits. Robbins does an admirable South African accent and is cool and calculating as Nic Vos, his discerning cold blue eyes making the viewer feel intimidated. He does manage to incur a small amount of sympathy when his family becomes a target for his threat to the anti-apartheid movement.
Something else I appreciate from Noyce is his goal to procure the truth of these insidious events in South African history. Though the ANC opposed and voraciously fought the restrictions and totalitarianism of the apartheid system, they were still labeled a terrorist organization by the US and the UK, an idea that only served to prove that the majority of Americans were too busy with the convenience and comfort of their own lives to take their heads out of the sand and discover the truth. The movie also serves to illustrate how powerful an idea can become when individuals are pushed to the brink.
"Catch A Fire" also contains many rousing African songs with beautiful vocal harmony but the majority of the words belie the joyousness of the singing and only serve to remind of the struggle that South Africa's people endured for years on end.
Bottom line: If you sway towards films based on true events that seek to pour light upon the truth rather than bury it with dramatic license and overpaid actors, then "Catch A Fire" is a film you must consider, as well as the moving story of Paul Rusesabagina in 2004's critically-acclaimed "Hotel Rwanda".
Great film, but fails on so many levels
posted on 29 Jun 2009I saw the film Saturday, knowing that it wouldn't be up for long, and was somewhat left with a feeling of satisfaction of such a film even being distributed in the U.S. and the courage of the films creator's, but with a sense of obvious revisionism. The film is about South Africa during the brutal years of Apartheid (violent segregation), opening with a grim reminder of the seriousness of the issue, we see a montage of old BBC clips and a commentator giving us a brief overview of the situation, we see images of Blacks being shot, beat, and a world of oppression. We then meet the cast. The film pays a great amount of time on Patrick Chamusso's family life, some may say this is to make the characters more human and the story more engaging, but it seemed to me that it should have dealt more with Apartheid. It felt much too long before anything really begins.I'll avoid boring people with yet another narration of the plot, but Patrick is imprisoned and tortured, when his own wife is put through the very same he becomes enraged, and upon his release he seeks revenge and see's the necessity of overthrowing the government. Throughout the film, only slight remarks are ever uttered about the conflict, and the terrorist actions in the beginning really only begin to matter around the end portion of the film. This is the most troublesome part of the whole film to me, the ANC, the war in Angola, the war in Mozambique, the Cold War, the situation in Africa as a whole is almost ignored (we only see a hammer and sickle once in the entire film for god sakes, yet Marxist movements dominated social life there for decades). The story of Patrick Chamusso, is overly simplified to depict a revenge story and nothing more, nothing about the ideals he fought for. Never is the intentions of the African National Congress portrayed, the guerrilla war in the North and the overall fervor is omitted. With a story that although succeeds as a humanitarian story it fails to really show the terror, the movements, and In the end we are left with a simplified Africa.I give it a 7 out of ten.
A film of conscience set in the 1980s which has eye-opening relevance today.
posted on 27 Jun 2009In our day and age there are so few real heroes to be proud of or for our children to aspire to emulate. Catch A Fire tells the story of one such hero. Set in South Africa in the 1980's, the story tells the remarkable story of one man's personal journey from laborer and father to revolutionary of conscience.In addition, the subject of the film speaks loudly to the audience about the dangers of a government that misuses it's power and the sometimes forceful means that must be undertaken when peaceful measures fail.See the film, engage your conscience, and follow in the footsteps of a hero.
"SOME GAVE ALL, ALL GAVE SOME, NO ONE GAVE NOTHING"
posted on 26 Jun 2009This movie gives an inside view of the life of Patrick Charmusso, a South African man, who only wanted a better life for his family and his country. Patrick Charmusso, portrayed by Derek Luke, is a peaceful man, working at a refinery, trying to overcome the struggle of the South African. This one man, Tim Robbins, is at the root of all the problems that develop for Patrick and his country. He is the controller, the one who speaks and others jump, and he makes Patrick's life into a living hell, for Patrick and his family. Precious, Patrick's wife, portrayed by Bonnie Henna, is determined to stand by her man, and she is violently abused, as is Patrick, for their determination for a better life. Their is a loyalty between the two of them that sticks. Patrick later leaves his family, joins the freedom fighters, and takes a stand against those who are corrupt. However, it is not without a price to pay. The freedom fighters unite against the corrupt, and make their stand. This will take Patrick into a completely different direction that he does not expect, but in the end of his struggle, it has its own reward for everything he and his family and other South Africans suffered.
I especially enjoyed the part at the end, where the REAL Patrick Charmusso meets Derek Luke, and there is a warmness shared between them. Also, the REAL Patrick Charmusso deserves kudos for that which he has accomplished, in spite of all that he and his fellow countrymen have endured. You will see what I mean at the movies end.
A Solid Story, A Solid Cast, A Solid Production - but where is the passion?
posted on 03 Jun 2009CATCH A FIRE is a very entertaining and instructive film about the 1980s South African problem with Apartheid - a time when the minority white population had political control over the far larger populace of blacks. It is based on a true story of one Patrick Chamusso, a fine working man not affiliated with the growing number of terrorists fighting to unite the black citizens to overthrow the Boers who is driven to alter his life to join the militant party of the African National Congress when he has personal experiences of abuse by the controlling whites.Patrick Chamusso (a fine Derek Luke) supports his wife Precious (Bonnie Mbuli Henna) and two daughters as a foreman at the oil plant. Though the plant is under investigation for terrorist acts Chamusso remains adamantely a pacificist. Yet when the conflicted Boer policeman Nic Vos (Tim Robbins) begins to bear down on Chamusso as suspect in a fire explosion at his plant, Chamusso's alibi conceals the fact that while away coaching the plant's boys' soccer team he steals away to see his illegitimate son and ex-girlfriend and this bit of secrecy to protect his wife's feelings causes the explosion with Vos that confines him to jail.Chamusso joins the military branch of the ANC, trains with them, is captured, abused, imprisoned and finally released with the rise of Nelson Mandela. How all of the progress of the story takes place is the pleasure of the fine script by Shawn Slovo and the direction of Phillip Noyce (The Quiet American, Rabbit-Proof Fence, The Bone Collector, Clear and Present Danger, Patriot Games etc) who knows how to move these movies along. The cast is excellent, the sense of place (the film was filmed entirely on location) and the production aspects are all superb. The only problem with the film is the 'sell-out' at the end when suddenly we are watching bits and pieces of filmed history and voice over content that seems to diminish the emotional impact of the film. Still, for another opportunity to understand Apartheid and the great country of South Africa, this film is very much worth watching. And Derek Luke, Bonnie Henna and Tim Robbins offer excellent acting skills. Grady Harp
Catch a Fire is powerful and emotional
posted on 28 May 2009Catch a Fire is surprisingly powerful and emotional. This emotion is assisted by a very moving soundtrack of South African music. The emotion is also feed by a brutal force of "anti-terrorists", with some of their interrogation techniques being very hard to watch for a PG-13 rated film. Though most violence is implied the film still does a very good job of portraying the brutality of the treatment that suspected terrorists in South Africa received. This film also does a great job of showing the terrorists side of the fight and offers insight into their motivation. The film focuses on people and their motivations and anyone can identify with almost every character. Despite being based on a true story and being a fairly realistic portrayal of the actual events, this film somehow manages to have enough action and suspense to have a fairly high entertainment value. A must see for anyone who enjoys historical films or drama/thrillers. 9/10
Good movie, worth seeing.
posted on 12 May 2009This film deals with an apolitical black man in apartheid South Africa, who is pulled into the fray against the gov't after he is falsely accuse of terrorism by the head of anti-terrorism in the South African govt. This film is beautiful. The cinematography is excellent, the relationship between Patrick and his family is shown well, and we are made to see that Patrick is a good guy, with a good job, who just wants to be a father and husband and nothing more.We also see Tim Robbins and his family and how he deals the omnipresent threat of violence from the people he is apart of oppressing. He is shown as a human character, he loves his wife and kids, he sings folk songs, and he runs a South African Guantanamo bay; hes a bad man.I cried at one point in the movie, and was interested throughout, the pacing was good. There just seemed to be something missing from it. I mean it was a pretty good movie, I just felt like there was another 20 minutes that belonged in the movie. I didn't quite feel like it was enough.Also the narration towards the end of the movie seemed a little stiff to me, as if Derek Luke wasn't comfortable reading it with an accent so he delivered it really choppy. Thats very minor.Having said all of that its definitely worth seeing. People will say its a movie about terrorism and I guess in one sense it is. But Americans have such a distorted view of terrorism. Its like if you are a group of people in a country fighting and you don't have an official army with tanks and planes you are a terrorist. But if you have a real army with tanks and planes you aren't a terrorist and if you blow things up its not terrorism. Terrorist/terrorism is a political word and this movie proves it.
what will your children say about you....
posted on 10 May 2009A political thriller: the real-life story of a South African hero's journey to freedom. In the country's turbulent and divided times in the 1980s, Patrick Chamusso is an oil refinery foreman and soccer coach who is apolitical - until he and his wife Precious are jailed. Patrick is stunned into action against the country's oppressive reigning system, even as police Colonel Nic Vos further insinuates himself into the Chamussos' lives.Noyce knows how to direct a good political thriller/drama, and has made no exception here. what starts off as genuinely intriguing moving picture about one mans innocence, turns into a nightmarish journey for Patrick, as he loses everything he had good in he life just to prove a point.whilst watching the film, you show great empathy for both the leads, thinking that Robbins character is actually a caring person toward these people, but in the end he is just doing his job and to find answers.he doesn't care about these people or their plight, he just wants accolade, which in turn, makes him a bitter man. on hindsight, when there are the family scenes, they are quite haunting, because there is no happiness there, unlikes Patrick's community.overall the film is thrilling, and very difficult to watch at times, but the story is laid out well and the production value, cinematography and performances are outstanding.
Great Cast but a too Formulaic Plot
posted on 20 Mar 2009Phillip Noyce, the director of "Catch a Fire" seems to be developing a habit of making films about the issues of indigenous peoples. His last two films, "The Quiet American" and "Rabbit Proof Fence" deal with such issues in Vietnam and Australia respectively. They both explore how local people deal with relative newcomers. He continues this tradition with "Catch a Fire" which deals with racial matters in apartheid South Africa in the 1980s.
A brief synopsis of the film would be that it shows how a previously non partisan was driven by politics to take extreme measures. In particular, we see the life of Patrick Chamusso played by Derek Luke and how he is forced to deal with a remorseless anti-terrorist Boer policeman played by Timothy Bottoms. The film is a character study of these two determined men.
If I had to find a weakness in the film it would be that the plot is too formulaic. We see good versus bad with a predictable ending where good ultimately prevails. The viewer is not asked to think too hard. Outcomes are much as expected.
The acting by all major payers is excellent. It is wryly amusing to see the political man, Timothy Bottoms, play the right wing Boer. Yet he plays the part well. It is a pity that the cast and the majestic South African setting do not match the plot.
Best "based on a true story" movie this year
posted on 16 Mar 2009Catch a Fire centers around the true story of Patrick Chamusso, a South African man who works as a plant foreman and quietly keeps to his family and to himself, not getting involved in the protests and demonstrations against apartheid. But when a terrorist attack effects the plant where he works and he and his wife are brought in and tortured to get information, he realizes that there is no way of simply avoiding confrontation and joins a terrorist group.
What's interesting about the film is how it presents two sides of the story, although, admittedly Chamusso is the central character. Tim Robbins plays Nic Vos, an anti-terrorist authority figure. We see Vos with his family and Robbins almost brings a sense of humanity to the character that makes you really see a man trapped in a point-of-view that he can't escape, and committing terrible acts because of this.
Derek Luke does a tremendous job as Chamusso and throughout the film his intensity is contagious, adding more and more levels to the film, while Robbins' intensity meter matches Luke scene for scene. These two actors really carry the film, although the story is moving and the supporting cast definitely keep up.
Catch a Fire is extremely relevant in a time when the United States is especially concerning itself with terrorism and trying to uncover terrorist cells. Seeing a film that presents the terrorist and the terrorist-hunter both as three-dimensional human characters really helps reminds us that this is not necessarily a black and white battle.
What is especially great about the film, is the very last scene, in which it starts out as Derek Luke as Patrick Chamusso, and finishes with the real-life Chamusso speaking. This is extremely effective in driving the point home that these events really occurred and that there are people out there who strive to make a difference in their environment.
Making of Today's Terrorist - I have tried to change these things
posted on 17 Feb 2009Catch a Fire This movie was released in 2006. But commercially it did not do well, and that it why there were no distributors for Europe market. At last we got to see this movie after nearly a year in the box.This movie is a true story of Patrick Chamusso during (1980-90s) South Africa's fight against apartheid regimes. Derek Luke plays Patrick and Bonnie Mbuli plays his wife; whereas Tim Robbins plays Colonel Nic Vos who represents the monstrous evil of white rule.This movie depicted a making of a terrorist. Especially in today's world of globalization where Multi-nationals companies are spreading their wings to acquire meager resources of indigenous people this movie becomes very relevant for all to see. There are more than 16 regions within India where terrorist insurgency and naxal movements are flourishing to fight the evil of state government.The director Philip Noyce (Clear and Present Danger, Patriot Games) has always made political statements and movies that show the ugly side of white supremacy. He has been hated by many for showing it throughout his career.A special mention should be made of cinematographer Ron Fortunato and Garry Phillips for beautifully capturing the beauty of South Africa. There is no background musical score in the movie but the Sound Department team has mixed the African folk songs and dance as integrated part of the narrative.Derek and Bonnie - look a perfect pair and both are very good looking. Derek matches his previous award winning performance of Antwone Fisher; he chooses true story characters for his roles and excels in them. Tim Robbin plays the Colonel (he has this next door looking guy) – but gives cold shivers with his controlled performance.The beautiful close-up shots depict every emotion of the characters and I was in the movie since its beginning. There are a few slack holes in the script and even though the movie is very good – one feels that something is missing.All in all a sensitive movie to see for everyone; especially all white communities – who invaded different nations and ruled them as their own land. I end with a quote from the movie - What will your children say about you? (Stars 7.75 out of 10)
How Sad
posted on 07 Feb 2009I find it rather amusing, that you are using a movie database sounding board to voice your frustration. Heres a little homework assignment for you. Open up your history books, hopefully they have been given revised since the 1800 edition you last had. One list should contain every single act of barbarism, violence, rape and injustice that the Europeans have committed against Africans, and the second should contain every act of violence against Europeans by Africans. You see maybe Im lucky because I have been educated in a country like the United States I have been granted a luxury. The country I live in gives me the up to date information on the true history of "your" country. I know you probably got most of your history lesson from your pro apartheid grandfather's arm chair built on the backs of the natives. How sad I truly feel for you, but continue to rant about the injustices of being white in a country thats not even yours. God bless America, where we believe in freedom and justice for all.
Great film-making
posted on 05 Feb 2009With Rabbit Proof Fence, The Quiet American and now Catch A Fire to his credit in succession, Phillip Noyce appears to be leaving the blockbuster action movies behind and moving into the realm of serious but still mainstream cinema. These are all very proficient films with interesting stories that contain relevant social and political messages. It is noteworthy that the three are all based on historical facts.This style of film-making is much more interesting than films like Syriana or (especially) The Constant Gardener. In those, the director appears to make a show of promoting a worthy world view, but doesn't really seem committed to the political cause. It felt gratuitous, the director simply exploiting our interest in political conspiracies without necessarily sharing that interest. Whatever it takes to get bums on seats.It is a difficult balance for a director. You want to do a story that you know is going to be hard to sell. So you need a big name or two to get the studio on board. But then you're stuck with a highly recognisable face that everyone knows is American but has to use an Afrikaaner accent.I was pleasantly surprised to find that Tim Robbins was completely believable as the South African police interrogator. His accent seemed flawless, and with his excellent acting I was able to buy-in to his character immediately. And I assumed that Derek Luke, who played the protagonist Patrick Chamusso, was African. In fact, he's from LA and has appeared in Spartan and Antwone Fisher (in the title role).Apartheid, like say Nazism or so-called terrorism, is an easy target. It doesn't take much effort to totally demonise even minor participants, even though they may be ordinary people. Noyce skilfully avoided such caricatures. Using effective cinematic devices, he was able to portray that both the protagonist and the antagonist had much in common. They both had two daughters, and both loved their families and their country. But one became a torturer and one became the tortured.Noyce's portrayal of Apartheid was very balanced. Robbin's character Vos was a family man with a job. His family loved him, but at work he was a man to be feared. Torture is a method that has been shown to not work. Both Michael Winterbottom's The Road to Guantanamo and Noyce's Catch A Fire illustrate this by depicting false confessions that were actually made by innocents. According to Noyce at the Q&A session that proceeded the film, the confessions made by Chamusso after he joined the ANC were deliberately sparse on detail and designed to appease but ultimately frustrate his interrogators.I asked Noyce if the film was making a statement about current world events, and he acknowledged that it was. It is very relevant to the war on terror and the West's turning to inhumane methods. "One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter", he quoted. Patrick Chamusso was a hero, he said, not because he took up arms, but because he renounced them. The ANC had a policy of not harming innocents, but this wasn't always the case. Chamusso was unsuccessful (and was jailed), because he was careful to follow this policy.Phillip Noyce is showing himself to be a deft master of quietly subversive films with commercial appeal, but ultimately they are socio-political commentaries with a strong humanitarian element. This film should have wide appeal among both casual movie-goers and the more serious cinephiles.
Catches Some Sparks
posted on 01 Feb 2009Philip Noyce's politically charged thriller starring Academy Award winner Tim Robbins and Derek Luke is brilliant and striking picture. When Patrick Chamusso (Luke) is wrongfully charged with terrorist charges and his family violently offended by the leader of the operation Nik Vos, (Robbins) Patrick joins the rebellion to fight against the regime.As the film touches on the many tones of politics, racism, and economic problems in South Africa, the emotional and dramatic quality of the film is the beauty of it. While the screenplay has flaws in character arc, the film is as beautiful as it is tragic. Derek Luke puts forth the best performance of his short career and is on his way to many potent and demanding roles in the future. His humanity and heroism shown in Patrick carries the film on his shoulders and when years pass, this will be film we will remember Luke's breakout turn besides Antwone Fisher.Tim Robbins brings forth a frightening turn with his spot on accent but is a little distracting and a miscast. With no direction for his character to go, many questions are left unanswered and frustrates the viewer. He still shows us he is one of the best working actors today when put in the right role.Bonnie Henna who puts forth an admirable effort as the supportive wife, "Precious," leaves the audience a bit disenchanted but has the strong will that makes the viewer worry for her. While Patrick is training and gets his codename, "Hotstuff" in which the film is adapted from of the same title, Henna is given enough screen time to run with her role and soar.Noyce creates some great cinematic moments with Luke but I have to say, I give Luke much of the credit. He completely engulfed himself in his role. His charm and charisma is his strongest attribute and lets the film succeed as much as it can. The film however never really "catches fire" rather sparks up all over the place.Grade: ***/****
thought provoking and mature film
posted on 24 Jan 2009This film didn't have the attention it would have deserved, at least in Europe (no attention at all in Italy..) but it's quite riveting. Elevated and empowered by Tim Robbin's and Derek Luke's performances "Catch a fire" has the right impact and vibrancy. It should raise important political questions in a world obsessed with terrorism and it's also filled with well - staged action scenes. The apartheid era is properly described and the social history developing in this context is certainly remarkable, though not flawless. Compared to other productions dealing with the same subject this one offers a perspective a bit different and more mature and ends up with a surprising forgiveness
A Solid Story, A Solid Cast, A Solid Production - but where is the passion?
posted on 26 Dec 2008CATCH A FIRE is a very entertaining and instructive film about the 1980s South African problem with Apartheid - a time when the minority white population had political control over the far larger populace of blacks. It is based on a true story of one Patrick Chamusso, a fine working man not affiliated with the growing number of terrorists fighting to unite the black citizens to overthrow the Boers who is driven to alter his life to join the militant party of the African National Congress when he has personal experiences of abuse by the controlling whites.
Patrick Chamusso (a fine Derek Luke) supports his wife Precious (Bonnie Mbuli Henna) and two daughters as a foreman at the oil plant. Though the plant is under investigation for terroristacts Chamusso remains adamantely a pacificist. Yet when the conflicted Boer policeman Nic Vos (Tim Robbins) begins to bear down on Chamusso as suspect in a fire explosion at his plant, Chamusso's alibi conceals the fact that while away coaching the plant's boys' soccer team he steals away to see his illegitimate son and ex-girlfriend and this bit of secrecy to protect his wife's feelings causes the explosion with Vos that confines him to jail.
Chamusso joins the military branch of the ANC, trains with them, is captured, abused, imprisoned and finally released with the rise of Nelson Mandela. How all of the progress of the story takes place is the pleasure of the fine script by Shawn Slovo and the direction of Phillip Noyce (The Quiet American, Rabbit-Proof Fence, The Bone Collector, Clear and Present Danger, Patriot Games etc) who knows how to move these movies along. The cast is excellent, the sense of place (the film was filmed entirely on location) and the production aspects are all superb. The only problem with the film is the 'sell-out' at the end when suddenly we are watching bits and pieces of filmed history and voice over content that seems to diminish the emotional impact of the film. Still, for another opportunity to understand Apartheid and the great country of South Africa, this film is very much worth watching. And Derek Luke, Bonnie Henna and Tim Robbins offer excellent acting skills. Grady Harp, February 07
in the end, is it worth it?
posted on 07 Dec 2008This movie should be admired for it's shear ability to capture forgiveness in it's rawest form. I've not seen many films where the portrayal has been so haunting. The beauty of this one man's relinquish of hate and bitterness and forgave instead challenged me as a fellow human to consider any hatred and bitterness within me and its worth...Patrick seemed to have EVERY right to take revenge on those who destroyed so many, and yet he denied that right - WOW! The acting was AMAZING, by the way. It left me asking as the credits scrolled, "in the end, is even a hint of bitterness or hatred worth it?" Powerful message, powerful acting, powerful ending with footage of the real Patrick and his life now, beautifully lived and beautifully portrayed.
A glimpse of the endings of South African apartheid in the 1980s.
posted on 30 Aug 2009I am not a historian and I know little about apartheid in South Africa. However in this movie we find that Patrick Chamusso is a real person and that most of the story in this movie really happened the way it is told. A good movie, with high production values.Tim Robbins is Colonel Nic Vos, and he sounds authentic with either an Irish or South African accent. He is a member of the ruling white government and always on the watch for revolutionists.American Derek Luke is believable as Patrick Chamusso, a humble refinery worker with a family and who is wrongly suspected of being a revolutionist. Torturing him for names, which he cannot give, they also end up mistreating his wife, Bonnie Mbuli as Precious Chamusso. This angers him, makes him fully realize the need to combat apartheid, and he leaves home to train with the revolutionists.The movie is often not fun to watch because of the themes depicted, but it has a favorable ending, and we see one of the freedom fighters who helped end apartheid in the early 1990s.