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A World Apart

Play trailer Poster for A World Apart PG 1988 1h 53m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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91% Tomatometer 11 Reviews 80% 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

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Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times 01/01/2000
4/4
It is strong, angry and troubling. Go to Full Review
Pam Mitchell Sojourner 09/03/2019
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? Go to Full Review
Kathi Maio Sojourner 08/30/2019
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. Go to Full Review
Hilary Mantel The Spectator 08/10/2018
It is an honest and intelligent piece of work, and its thrust is humane, not doctrinaire. Go to Full Review
Sean Axmaker Turner Classic Movies Online 12/06/2009
... 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... Go to Full Review
Chuck O'Leary FulvueDrive-in.com 05/07/2007
2/5
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Audience Reviews

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Lovely P 06/18/2023 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. It's not an easy film to watch, but it's certainly one that is worth the experience See more 09/25/2016 This film had a powerful effect on my social conscience and fuelled my hatred of apartheid where ever it was. Equality for all. See more 07/05/2010 (****): Thumbs Up A powerful and compelling film. Well-acted and directed. See more 01/25/2010 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. See more 03/01/2009 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] See more 12/21/2008 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. See more Read all reviews
A World Apart

My Rating

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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