James Gregory (Fiennes) is an Afrikaans prison guard who in 1968 is assigned to work as the censorship officer on Robben Island, keeping an eye on the nation's most notorious terrorist, Nelson Mandela (Haysbert). Gregory is an ideal choice for the job since he speaks fluent Xhosa; growing up on a farm, his best friend Bafana was black. But Gregory's support for Apartheid policies is slowly undermined by what he sees in Mandela: an intelligent, gentle man seeking freedom and reconciliation. Over the next two decades their friendship and trust deepen.

This is a film about who really is imprisoned and who really is free. It's a movie that's based on provocative ideas, challenging the status quo and confronting officially sanctioned policies of violence and oppression. So it can perhaps be forgiven for slightly whitewashing things to underplay the violence unleashed by the ANC in their long quest for justice.

It helps to have a textured actor like Haysbert in the focal role. As written, Mandela is rather saintly, but Haysbert retains that mischievous sparkle in his eye and a world-weary stance that shows Mandela's dark past and growing wisdom about the future. His chemistry with Fiennes is terrific, and keeps the film utterly engaging as Fiennes delivers an especially solid performance himself, matched nicely by Kruger in a subtly meaty role as Gregory's wife.

Yes, since it's based on Gregory's book, this is another African story told through the eyes of a white man. It's also raw and realistic about the deep-seated paranoia and cruelty that underscored Apartheid. The horrific brutality of the guards and police is hard to watch, as is their use of the Bible to justify the fact that a minority of 4 million whites was relentlessly suppressing 20 million blacks.

Director August films this in a sunny, dusty style that feels utterly authentic. He also catches tiny details everywhere, and makes the most of the family connections: Gregory and Mandela identify with each other as husbands and fathers in increasingly potent ways. Forceful and timely stuff.

themes, language, violence

5.Mar.07