Freedomland Movie
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Storyline
TAGLINES
His Streets. His Rules.
The Truth Is Hiding Where No One Dares To Look.
When her son disappears and is believed to be dead, a single mother blames an African-American man from the projects for the kidnapping, creating a racial controversy. An African-American detective (Jackson) and a white missing child researcher team up to investigate the case, which they discover may be more complicated than they expected.
| Samuel L. Jackson | Lorenzo Council |
| Julianne Moore | Brenda Martin |
| Edie Falco | Karen Collucci |
| Ron Eldard | Danny Martin |
| Joe Roth |
5.00 out of 10 (4501 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Good Movie, not a "Feel Good" movie
posted on 18 Aug 2009Ms. Moore and Mr. Jackson were very believable, as was Ms. Falcon. This is a gritty, realistic view of class and race in urban Amerika. However, my wife and I didn't find it depressing, as it was Quality. I can't understand all the below 5 ratings that have been given, can only say I felt very entertained and moved by this important film. The photography was excellent, as was the writing. Clichés were avoided and authenticity kept shining through this movie that will keep playing in my mind long after the DVD has been shipped back to its source. I'd recommend it if you are in the mood for realism without a sugar-coated ending. I especially liked Samuel L. Jackson's depiction of a brother that is doing what he professionally knows is the right thing to do, not the popular thing.
It was so pointless, we were laughing.
posted on 18 Aug 2009I don't really understand why they called the movie "Freedomland." This movie was obviously not about the place they called Freedomland in the least. Though, I certainly couldn't tell you what exactly the movie was supposed to be about because it tried to have about seven plots (none of which it carried out successfully). At first I thought it was just slow at getting to the point but, after a few hours of it, I realized that it just didn't really have one. I've seriously seen made-for-television movies that would chew this movie up and spit it out.Usually, if a movie is bad, I can at least justify spending six or seven dollars to see it but, this time, I really don't think I can do that... This movie was so terrible, we were laughing throughout the complete last hour of it.
Well acted but very very slow moving movie
posted on 14 Aug 2009My wife has wanted to see this film for some time, but appointments have made us miss it several times. Well we finally saw it and it was mixed emotions that we each had. Samuel Jackson, Julianne Moore and Edie Falco were excellent in their part, which at times Julianne Moore over acted, but the fault I find with this film was how the script of the movie just dragged on. As I said I loved the acting for the most part but after a while it seemed the movie would never end. The screen play was not a good representation of the book which my wife read and once again what happened to all the great screen writers of the past years. It seems a waste of a lot of talent for a second rate movie.
Tries to be an urban 'Crash'... but fails miserably
posted on 13 Aug 2009This movie had so many plot lines that it ended up dead ending instead of mimicking 'Crash', which was the obvious intent once you make it to the end.
I did have high hopes with two strong performers (Julianne Moore and Samuel L. Jackson)... but... well.
They should have stuck with Julianne Moore's character's story... only. It would have made a much better plot and would have been quite a mystery too. I honestly believe that it would have excelled if they had done that.
But... the went off on so many tangents it became preposterous!
The problem is, these tangents are red herrings... and they tear the seams from what point is trying to be made here.
The various camera speeds, camera angels, contrived acting in some parts.... don't lend to any credibility of the film at all. In fact, I only watched it to the end to try to find some redeeming grace. But alas... it was not to be found.
I would have to recommend.... if you want to see it, be prepared. This movie is nothing like it was billed (as is common these days). And you may find yourself wishing you had spent your time doing something more useful... like sleeping.
The only reason I gave it two stars is for Juliannes' acting... she was good... and they should have followed THAT particular story line to be successful.
Most stereotyped film ever… wait, it looks quite real to me.
posted on 06 Aug 2009First mistake of this film was marketing (after all, it's all about marketing) Billing it as a thriller/action movie with some paranormal slant was wrong. This is strictly a psychological drama with zero paranormal stuff in it.Second mistake was to make reality too real and not idealized or artistic to stay away of the touchy issues addressed: Race, police prejudice, social differences.So if you went to the movie theater or the rental place to watch a thrilling action film staying right on the surface of entertainment and shock value, you will be disappointed. This is a nicely acted, well constructed and most importantly, realistic drama in which a white woman blames the kidnap of her son as a carjack conducted by an African-American male.As far as I am concern, there was no stereotyping, just realism. There was no siding on the moralistic virtues of one or other side. Actually, this is a quite profound exploration of the reasons to lie, the be racist, to fear prejudice and to resist the fact that a social interaction between poor and rich, white and black, civilian and policemen will probably be fair in a near future… not now.My only concern was to see Ms. Moore so stressed during 90% of the film, quite impressive performance. Just hope she doesn't take this as her type-cast.
Stinkeroo
posted on 05 Aug 2009"Freedomland" is a mess. The basic premise: a woman, Brenda (a glammed down, scenery chewing{think about that horrifying and effective scene of Moore in "Magnolia" in which she goes off on the pharmacist...now times it times 50} from the usually effective Julianne Moore) has her car snatched, walks to the hospital with her hands bloodied and after about 15 minutes declares to a "counselor-defender," Lorenzo Council (an intense Samuel L. Jackson who tries his level headed best to make sense of his part and this movie) that her son was in the back seat. This sets off a change of events that strains credulity at best and at worst has you scratching your head and wondering why you've spent your hard earned money on this crock.
Nothing much works here and all the disparate elements: police brutality, racial profiling, child and spousal abuse instead of adding up to something important add up instead to an overheated hodge podge of a well made but silly melodrama.
Overblown drama/thriller that goes nowhere
posted on 04 Aug 2009Caught an advance screening a week ago, the same one attended by the other reviewer.It's a sad day when a movie is made with its sights set on an Oscar award AND box office at the same time. For me, the mere intent can undermine a good idea - what to say of a bad one? That's what happens in this botched and overblown attempt at a drama/thriller (some may say a cross between a 70's racial drama and "The Forgotten" - on speed). IT IS a bad idea from the start - everyone in Hollywood knows the trouble that is adapting a lengthy book to the screen. But when you couple that with Oscar aspirations - for acting, I suppose - you have a recipe for disaster.The basic story line is that of a single mom that gets car-jacked while lost in a public park and then proceeds to tell the police (after much "emotion") that her son is still in the car with the criminal. Pretty much what all thrillers are about, right? Well, everything is kosher except that she is white and the park where it all took place happens to be right in the middle of a poor, black neighborhood.As the viewer would have guessed, the main topics here are the racial conflict - "violent" white cops versus "angry" black mob - and the desperate search for the kid.As director and screenwriter tried to keep every single thread present in the book, things eventually get extremely confusing. We never get a feel for the characters or a sense of fulfillment. Many of the threads feel incomplete and others seem like mere sketches that went along for the ride.More so, Joe Roth's directing style is frenetic and restless. I'd say he could do a great action flick, but here so much movement ends up wasted and actually annoys the viewer.Finally, to keep this short, the acting goes from OK to histrionic. I truly feel sorry for Julianne Moore - she is a great actress trapped in a recycled role. Samuel Jackson is another casualty; his talent is wasted on another empty character, an amalgam that doesn't work despite his visible effort. Many dislike the score, but I did enjoy it for some obscure reason.Well, as you guys can see, "Freedomland" is a disappointment and I would highly recommend a DVD screening for this one since it is my personal belief that we should see a little bit of everything in a protected environment.
what in the world
posted on 29 Jul 2009You know, I tried to like this movie, too, in the beginning. I went to the theater not having any idea what Freedomland was about, it was just something that I saw on the marquee and so my boyfriend and I decided to try it out. Hey, anything with Samuel L. Jackson is good, we both thought. Holy crap! I have never seen such a movie that goes absolutely no where. First of all, I had no idea what was going on when Moore's character began talking to the residents of the housing projects about how much "love" she has to give. There was no indication that she worked at a preschool stuck in the basement of some housing project(?) I want my money back so bad. There were about 4 different things going on and none of them made any sense. And where did the Freedomland crap come in? All of a sudden, they are walking through some abandoned children's shelter. For a movie to really reach the audience, the audience has to care. The director of this movie gave me nothing to care about. UGH! I am just sickened by this movie. Death to all involved.
Provocative, brilliant performances with a heavy laden script
posted on 27 Jul 2009Freedomland has some really mind blowing performances. The film which was advertised as something else entirely is a movie about racial tensions, misconceptions, stereotypes and the life inside New Jersey Projects. I think the film was poorly hyped as a mystery thriller involving a deserted institution formerly harboring children which certainly makes an appearance and also is responsible for the name of the film "Freedomland." However the film is more about a black detective from the projects doing everything he can to help a disturbed, former drug addict white mother who lives in this neighborhood and get to the bottom of her story. The racial overtones are perhaps a little forced, it doesn't quite flow as well as I'd hope but nonetheless the story is riveting, the mystery is very interesting and the performances are just drop dead amazing.I have to say this is the first two truly Oscar worthy performances I have seen this year. The front of the case for this film says "Samuel L. Jackson's best performance" and I don't know if I'd say his best but it's absolutely up there. Jackson plays Lorenzo Council, an aging officer who makes it his duty and area to protect and patrol the neighborhood despite heavy opposition for the local precinct that wants to make the neighborhood their business. Jackson's performance as Council is subtle but moving. He's a strong character but shows weakness and a deep concern for not only his neighborhood and the black community but equally for this white woman and her missing son. One of the most powerful scenes featuring him is when the woman admits her son was in the back of the car that was taken. Jackson is at the top of his game in this role and he's smart too which doesn't hurt. He's always watchable but this is one powerful performance. It only falls short to an Oscar caliber performance by Julianne Moore, someone I have never, ever been a fan and still don't care for. That doesn't change the fact that this is one brutally brilliant performance. She plays the mother of a missing son and carjack victim Brenda Martin. Her layers of emotional disturbance go on and on and she makes you feel for her and hate her, and despise her and pity her on again and off again. The character is constantly in turmoil and emotional distress and she just pulls it off perfectly without ever seeming campy or overacted. Edie Falco is good as many reviewers have said but the role is very small. She plays the leader of a group of mothers who help other mothers and law officials track down missing children. She has some really great moments opposite Moore's character and some powerful speeches but her role is quite small especially compared to both Moore and Jackson. Aunjanue Ellis plays concerned neighbor and loyal friend to Detective Council Felicia. Her part is rather small too but I mention her because she does a good and significant job with her role. She always shows up when necessary and commands a certain screen presence. William Forsythe, someone I really enjoy, plays a small role as Jackson's partner as well and does a good job with what he is given.The most important thing is the chemistry existing between Moore's character and Jackson. They have terrific chemistry playing off each other and really being at the opposite ends of the personality spectrum. Moore is completely unbalanced, untruthful, disturbed and Jackson's character is much more contained, in control, and although perhaps a little scattered he is determined. More than anything else the film is a great drama and mystery. I'm quite surprised at the negative backlash this film has gotten on IMDb because although the story indeed was stupendous it's a really good mystery and with powerful performances from nearly every actor it's absolutely a must see. Even if the film is described as average it's one of the better ones out there and absolutely worth seeing. If for no other reason you'll be locked into the mystery and want to know exactly where Moore's character goes with all this. We can hope that you'll see this one again around Oscar time...both leads are well deserving of mention. 8/10
A mean spirited show
posted on 15 Jul 2009The images in this production simply add fuel to an already burning fire of strained racial relations. I am not speaking to the beginning of the movie nor the end, simply the pure hatred between black and white. Many people, I fear, will completely forget the movie as a whole though they may take from it the splendid performances from it's two main actors, Samuel L. Jackson and Julianne Moore. But I fear they will not remember how it ended or what, if any, lessons there were to take from it. Only those images. Those vicious images branded on many an angry brain. What was the point? Was it to remind us of the tensions between these two groups? I, for one don't need that. Do we need to be reminded of just how bad we can treat each other? Not me. Mississippi Burning had a point and a purpose. To Kill A Mocking Bird had a profound moral and left the viewer with something to think about. Freedomland seemed to me, a mean spirited movie.
poorly written portrait of a lousy cop trying to be a good man
posted on 03 Jul 2009I don't think this film is as bad as the critics said it was but it is a very poorly written story. It's also too bad that we know (becasue of a real life incident) who a least one of the guilty parties is. I don't really know what the written and director were trying to go for. I don't know whether they wanted a personal character study of Lorenzo Council (Sma Jackson's character) or a racial tension drama. They didn't seem to be able to make their minds. The script is disjointed with characters coming and going with no real significance. Sam Jackson's character does grow to receive your sympathy but it takes a really longtime and end the final analysis you still don't really think he's all that great (this coming from a Black person). I never read the book this was based on but I did read that the author also wrote the screenplay and I find it amazing that he couldn't capture his own story better than he did. He could flush out the characters because is dialog was so poor. In a film, because it's not a book and you don't have endless description, the words have to tell you something about the people. Only Karen the missing child hunter's words tell you something of her character.My other beef with this movie is that after you see ten dozen cop shows on TV that are good ie Homicide Life on the Street, Hill Street Blue, you come to expect certain things- like Police Work. There wasn't any here. Even Sam Jackson's character didn't do any police work. Maybe there was no police work because this was suppose to be a racial drama, well it failed there too. Unlike Crash it hit you over the head a few too many times for my taste. A little social significance is good a lot just makes you angry and preached to.Too bad this could have been a good film but it's too poorly written to be worth what it should have been.
Intense
posted on 22 Jun 2009This is an intense drama that highlights some of the twists in race relations, and some of the reasons they've been so long in healing. Moore's performance as a struggling individual who points a finger at a black man when her child is 'supposedly' kidnapped brings home a lot of emotions. This movie opens up a lot of realistic issues. Well done.
Chrissy K. McVay - Author
Horrible
posted on 17 Jun 2009I can't remember the last time that I felt so used in a movie theater. I paid 8 bucks to go see this horse crap. The preview was amazing. The movie was not. 1st of the directing was awful, 2nd the editing was I can't even think of a word for it. Both Moore and Jackson are amazing actors but this by far is the worst roles they have ever picked to play. Parts of this movie are supposed to be serious. like when Jackson is trying to get the truth out of Moore at the begging of the movie. and they are both yelling at each other. the scene ends up looking more like something you would see on SNL than on a major movie. it was comical. the movie brings into focus some great issues and ideas, but it never develops any of them. instead the audience is left with question after question after question. and not in a way which makes us question society and the roles that we play in it, but in a way that makes us think what the hell just happened and why. none of this makes sense and then we have Moore slapping her self randomly and Her brother who plays a Part in the movie until he hears some mysterious information and then he disappears. This movie was monumentally stupid. I would not waste $8 on it. If you really won't to go see it wait until it goes to the dollar theater. even then I wouldn't see it. Its two hours of your life you will never get back.
Brutal: find your own copy in the bargain-bin
posted on 14 Jun 2009Awful. That one word could sum up this entire movie. How did a movie with such good actors and initially promising plot run off the tracks this dramatically? Essentially this movie is proof that if doesn't matter who you cast in a movie if the plot and script are poor. Plot holes, jumpy storyline, and a conclusion that is laughable make this one of the worst 'crime drama' genre movies I've ever had the misfortune of watching.
1.5/5 stars. Not even worth the cost to rent, much less buy. Possibly useful by the corrections department to soften hardened criminals or to get witnesses to talk.
Don't bother
posted on 03 Jun 2009Freedomland seemed a good idea while I was perusing the new releases in the video rental shop. A-list stars, intriguing storyline on the back of the box etc. What a mistake! This film doesn't know what it is supposed to be. A thriller? I wasn't thrilled. A sociological commentary on racial tension? I didn't learn anything. I was nodding off by the time the story had resolved itself and didn't feel like I had missed anything because it was so obvious from the start that this wasn't a real carjacking.Julianne Moore is never a favourite of mine given her track record of turkeys but I was prepared to give her a chance. Another mistake. As Brenda, she spent the whole film wailing like a banshee and didn't generate any sympathy for her character whatsoever, which you may have expected from an actress portraying a mother whose child is missing. Samuel L. Jackson plays just another world-weary maverick detective without any clues as to why he would jeopardise his respect in the community for the sake of a head case like Brenda. Ron Eldard usually offers stellar support (House of Sand and Fog etc) but here he is lumbered with a one-dimensional character as Brenda's thuggish brother with alarmingly white teeth (I didn't know you could afford such expensive dental work on a cop's salary).The only good element of this film is Edie Falco, who is truly believable as the leader of a group of mothers who try and find lost children. She is the only character who invokes any kind of empathy or interest from the viewer. As I couldn't give this film zero stars, I give that lone star to her.
STUNNED by how good it is
posted on 28 May 2009Wanted to see this one just because the trailer looked interesting, but put it off until it came to the cheap seats in my town. Wow, I was stunned by how good it is & in particular how riveting Moore's performance is. Why no "Best Actress" nomination? She plays against her natural beauty and in the scenes where Samuel L. Jackson is interrogating her, she holds her own against someone whose screen presence is legendary. I also liked the sequence during the confrontation between cops and projects' residents where the director let events unfold without sound for a few minutes--very effective. If you're trying to make sense of how quickly ethnic hatred can surface in places like Iraq or the former Yugoslavia, this film reminds you how easily racial tensions can spiral into violence in a setting much closer to home.
It appears that logic and reason were not consulted for the making of this movie.
posted on 26 May 2009Wow...This movie reminded me why I shouldn't listen to the selection my girlfriend recommends or the blockbuster sales rep.Blockbuster Bonzo: "Oh that is a great movie you have there" (insert deadly punch to the face) Well, I can say this with 100% confidence this is by far the worst movie I have experienced in years. Move over Duece Bigolow, there's a new low in town lead by Samuel L. Jackson and Julienne Moore. Supposedly, this movie is about a kidnapping claim by a psychotic/drug addicted mom clearly out of her head and Samuel giving her a helping hand in finding the kidnapper. In the process they manage to shut down a large residential area, begin a large scale riot complete with Al Sharptons squeezed within every 2nd black person, employ a police force the size of New York, and leave you feeling ripped off and angry as hell. The movie doesn't make sense, the acting doesn't make sense, in fact writing this review to explain how bad this movie is doesn't make sense. I really hope that the movie was made for straight to TV but Hollywood being the way it is, I doubt it.If your actually contemplating sitting through this horror fest, be sure to include a lot of illicit drugs, followed by several straight blows to the head. It worked for me!
absolute cracker
posted on 26 May 2009I watched this film as i had an hour and a half to fill before the football started and can't but help feeling cheated . I'd expected nothing short of a bit of a "b" movie fluff and ended up engrossed in a true hidden gem of a film .Very much for me in the mould of a "Crash" type film i just wonder why i'd never heard of this film before . It should have been a major release IMHO.Got to say at times i found it disturbing but the sensitive issues are handled with compassion and is certainly well worth a watch .This is the sort of film i just know i'll watch again someday .
NOT a thriller.
posted on 24 May 2009I picked up this movie because (in order): A. Samuel L. Jackson B. Julianne Moore C. It was labeled as a Thriller.Samuel L. Jackson was great as always.Julianne Moore, who usually plays strong women (and is absolutely gorgeous normally), played a worn out, white trash, single mom, who looked like she had lived every moment of her life be dragged on her face. Kind of made me hope I would never see another shampoo commerical with her in it. Although the fact that I did not like her in this movie may say how good an actress she is.It was definitely not a Thriller. There was nothing really thrilling about the movie at all. Not a whole lot of suspense. Not a whole lot of action. Nothing. OK. There was a riot in there, but everyone saw it coming, so it wasn't even suspenseful.I think there should be an addition to the definition of "Thriller". IF there are three or more long drawn out monologues then it can not be classified as a Thriller. How many times did I want to just say SHUT UP and let the other person talk.Over all the plot was very linear and the dialogue seemed predictable and contrived. Not enough information was given to the viewer, which was then made up for by long, boring monologues.
Not worth your time
posted on 28 Aug 2009The movie starts pretty decently, say the first five or ten minutes, then it descends into Fantasyland. The police tactics and procedures are so unrealistic and far fetched it ruins what seemed to be a promising movie. It starts stereotypically with a white lady and African-American attacker. To attempt to add a little mystery, the director makes the white lady a whack job. Logically, the director would have us believe, as the attacker is an African-American, the police from another all white jurisdiction put the housing project under siege. Has anyone ever heard of such a thing in real life? I know we have to suspend disbelief sometimes, but this movie was ridiculous. Does the director think that the viewers believe African-Americans live only in the projects? It is just incredible and gets progressively worse from there. Finally when there is a resolution and all suspects are in custody, the all white jurisdiction still has the projects under siege and surprise surprise a riot ensues! Why? Why were the cops still there? Why were they ever there? The director has no explanation and no film worth watching.