Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

A World Apart

Play trailer Poster for A World Apart PG 1988 1h 53m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
91% Tomatometer 11 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Molly (Jodhi May), a white teenage girl living in Johannesburg during the 1960s, finds her life turned upside down when her leftist parents become targets of the pro-apartheid South African government. Molly's father, Gus (Jeroen Krabbé), is forced into exile, but her mother, Diana (Barbara Hershey), continues her activism. As her family's reputation leaves her shunned by fellow Caucasian peers, Molly grows closer to her mother and begins to understand the anti-apartheid cause.

Critics Reviews

View All (11) Critics Reviews
Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times It is strong, angry and troubling. Rated: 4/4 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Pam Mitchell Sojourner Has anyone ever captured that delicate tightrope walk between child and adult as poignantly and delicately as Jodhi May does in her characterization of Molly in this film? Sep 3, 2019 Full Review Kathi Maio Sojourner Admirable politics, presented in a complex and sensitive manner, is certainly reason enough to recommend A World Apart. But much of the power of this film lies in the fact that it is visually stunning. Aug 30, 2019 Full Review Hilary Mantel The Spectator It is an honest and intelligent piece of work, and its thrust is humane, not doctrinaire. Aug 10, 2018 Full Review Sean Axmaker Turner Classic Movies Online ... there is a strong social consciousness and political content, but [Chris] Menges also brings a subdued dramatic atmosphere and rich visual sensibility to the film... Dec 6, 2009 Full Review Chuck O'Leary FulvueDrive-in.com Rated: 2/5 May 7, 2007 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (19) audience reviews
Lovely P The cinematography and acting in this film are both excellent, and the overall message of this film is one of hope and resilience in the face of adversity. The fact that this is based on real events adds to its impact and emotional resonance. This film serves as a powerful testament to the resilience and courage of the individuals who fought for justice and equality in South Africa. It's not an easy film to watch, but it's certainly one that is worth the experience Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/18/23 Full Review Audience Member This film had a powerful effect on my social conscience and fuelled my hatred of apartheid where ever it was. Equality for all. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Audience Member (****): Thumbs Up A powerful and compelling film. Well-acted and directed. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Audience Member There is a strong social consciousness and political content, but Menges also brings a subdued and personal dramatic atmosphere and rich visual sensibility to the film. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Audience Member I felt moved by the families plight. This movie (which is based on a true person)was interesting, since it mostly took the view of the daughter of a activist and ethical fighter. It is not often that you are given a chance to feel what it is like to often feel like you are second place to an ideal and fight (as in apartheid). I would give this a 3 1/2. I would like to have felt more at times but it was an interesting journey.[img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/smilies/wink.gif[/img] Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member The story, the acting, the politics are all interesting but for some reason the movie could not hold my interest for very long. It's an important story to be told though. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Read all reviews
A World Apart

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

Show Less Cast & Crew Show More Cast & Crew

More Like This

View All Best Movies to Stream at Home
The Accidental Tourist 82% 60% The Accidental Tourist Watchlist The Long Walk Home 88% 84% The Long Walk Home Watchlist Eleni 83% 75% Eleni Watchlist Desert Bloom 71% 69% Desert Bloom Watchlist September 63% 52% September Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
View All A World Apart photos

A World Apart

A World Apart (1988) A World Apart (1988) A World Apart (1988) A World Apart (1988) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Molly (Jodhi May), a white teenage girl living in Johannesburg during the 1960s, finds her life turned upside down when her leftist parents become targets of the pro-apartheid South African government. Molly's father, Gus (Jeroen Krabbé), is forced into exile, but her mother, Diana (Barbara Hershey), continues her activism. As her family's reputation leaves her shunned by fellow Caucasian peers, Molly grows closer to her mother and begins to understand the anti-apartheid cause.
Director
Chris Menges
Producer
Sarah Radclyffe
Screenwriter
Shawn Slovo
Production Co
Working Title Films
Rating
PG
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (DVD)
Aug 23, 2005
Box Office (Gross USA)
$557.2K
Runtime
1h 53m
Sound Mix
Surround