Worlds Apart (2008)

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

A true story of the painful experience suffered by a good girl wanting to do right by her family whilst it dawns on her that the religious sect she was born into places a doomsday belief above simple humanity.She and her family are subjected to sentencing by a cabal of men who are called 'elders' whenever they stray from the path of Jehovah. Wrong doers who smoke, fornicate or receive blood transfusions risk being expelled from the chosen few who believe a happy life will be theirs after Armageddon.The strong irony of adulterous men being forgiven is in stark contrast to the wrath shown towards a teenage girl who loves her family deeply and wants to please them, yet is exposed to the normal temptations of an adolescent.We need more films such as this in a world where increasing religious fanaticism and evangelism are threatening the intelligent evolution of man and women kind.The girl on whom the film is based gives her stamp of approval by making a very brief appearance.The saddest thing of all is the excruciating loneliness suffered by those who are expelled from a tightly enclosed religious sect and treated as though they are dead. What a compassionate bunch of nitwits!

My sentiments resemble that of staryfifi. Any director should consult people of the faith, that aren't bitter/scorn if looking for real accuracy. Fornication and adultery are wrong no matter what faith you belong to because the bible, God's word says that. Any avid Bible Reader remembers the priest who allowed his sons to commit fornication in the temple. He lost his life because he condoned wrongdoing. I have many friends who chose to do what they wanted and instead of carrying on a facade, lying (adding more sins to the mix), they just went to the brothers and disassociated themselves. If that's what a person chooses to do, no one stops them. Major inaccuracies: 1) Elders don't hunt people down, if they happen to see them or make a shepherding call and know they are having problems, they try to encourage them to seek help, disfellowshipping is a LAST resort, they are in the business of helping not hurting. 2) There is no leader, they are bodies that are all in agreement on various things & meet in committees to make decisions 3) We are educated people. The world headquarters has doctors, lawyers, nurses, electricians, engineers, etc. I have 2 degrees that I pursued while I participated in the ministry regularly and worked full-time. I am not alone, there are many like me, some doctors and teachers. 4)People are not told they will die, they are encouraged to follow a course that will 'ensure' they remain in God's memory. Only God can read hearts & can condemn or excuse a person. Ultimately he will choose. As humans, that is not our place. Any person that wants to sin and not answer to God for anything, is truly selfish and will not really be happy.

This story contains an admirable amount of true tidbits about Jehovah's Witnesses. However there are a few mistakes. For one thing, the elder who presides over most of the meetings wears a facial beard. JW's do not wear beards. Mustaches yes, beards ... no. Also there are some instances where he closes prayer without first saying, " In Jesus' name" or something similar. This is incorrect. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the only proper way to approach God in prayer is through the name of his son, as the scriptures direct. Also, the meetings look like dark, somber occasions...this is far from reality. The meetings are full of interesting parts given by different members, well-lit and the atmosphere is inviting, not somber. And it is NEVER encouraged for a young one to quit their formal education and become a full time pioneer. That was appalling. No mother or father would support the decision of a youth in high school to drop out to pursue full time preaching. Jehovah's witnesses do not endorse that plan of action. Also, I was very offended at the point of the film where Sara tells her young brother, "they lied to us. There is no Armageddon." The movie does not provide any means by which she could have arrived at this conclusion. There is no bible proof presented, no discussion, nothing. She just decides for herself it is a lie. I am one of Jehovah's witnesses. I did not care for the film, but tried to watch it open-mindedly. I found nothing of value here.

Last time I reviewed a danish production, I got spit out and bit in the tail for stepping on danish toes. Drømmen was supposedly Arden Oplev's masterpiece but however I tried, I didn't get it. Not one bit of it.This time (and fate is sweet and relentless), unknowingly, I thoroughly enjoyed a danish masterpiece: To Verdener, same director and writer! And honestly, I watched it twice and I can't find any flaws in it. It's brilliant. The acting is so sincere, the story so well told, the movie's pace forces you to keep watching, music is original, and the plot very well unfolded.A girl, raised as a Jehova's Witness, is forced into a devils dilemma when she falls for a charming older boy - a "non-witness", so there's bound to be trouble. This theme, very accurately portrayed and far from original, is very actual nowadays when so many people abandon their Christian roots, tempted by modern days' lusts and attractions, shopping, the net, sexuality, individuality and 'follow your dream' zeitgeist.Not only makes Rosalinde Mynster this story believable, she acts it out so well, there must have been bucket loads of chemistry on the set. From the Elder John to the young sister Elisabeth (another danish acting wonder Sarah Juel Werner) - all characters are real, fully developed and utterly believable. The biggest surprise for me though, frankly, was Pilou Asbæk, in his role as Teis, Sara's new found love. What a charm, what charisma, and what talent. His character goes through lengths as much as even volunteering to join the Witnesses, thus reaching out for Sara and share her burden.Sara, in the end, makes a far from diminutive choice, a choice for a worldly life - eventually even breaking all attachments; her family, her boyfriend and ultimately, Jehova.The end dialog with her father is so pivotal and to the point, it should end up in cinema history books. Won't spoil it all for you - but it's pure excellence.The best thing this movie achieves, is it never judges. There's no "good" or "bad" when it comes to religion. The Jehova's are portrayed unbiased, not overly sympathized, not threatening. Every decision Sara and her family have to make is difficult, complex. Yet it's far from depressing. In fact all in all this ends up to be a very positive movie.Life has changed, life goes on. We all choose what we think is good for us.Well to sum it up. Grand movie, very well acted, and gives food for thought big time. Give it 9 out of 10.