The Battle of Algiers

The Battle of Algiers is a political movie about the struggle of the Algerian people for independence from France. I read a review from the New York Movie Review done by Peter Rainer. He did a good job reviewing the movie but I thought that he spent too much time summarizing it than actually giving his thoughts about it. Something that I agreed with that he said was that effect of the casting of true Algerian people was breathtaking. I did not agree with how much he raved about the movie. To me, it was a enjoyable movie but if I was to read this review before watching it, I would have been extremely dissapointed by the movie because he talks it up to be so amazing. I think that he missed the more ovbious parts about the movie that can be discussed such as the subtitles and the way that both the Algerians and the French were portrayed so evenly. I think he should have discussed the subtiles because it was hard for me to focus on the scenes and characters when I was trying to read the subtitles first. It just seemed to me that the subtitles detract from the audience’s ability to fully enjoy the scenes and I think he should have discussed something about that in his review. I also think he should have gave his opinions about how the story was told from both sides. I thought it was so great that they did that because it allows the audience to choose their own side if they wish to instead of having it chosen for them. All in all, there were things about the review and about the movie I liked and disliked but ultimately, I enjoyed the movie and his views he presented about it.