With photojournalists dying in Libya, a film about the perils of the profession would certainly seem timely, but writer-director Steven Silver merely skims the surface in examining the ethics and psychology that propel these people to risk their lives. Instead, the fact-based The Bang Bang Club romanticizes their reckless derring-do. Set circa 1994 in chaotic South Africa—before Nelson Mandela took office—the story follows combat photographers Greg Marinovich (Ryan Phillippe), Kevin Carter (Taylor Kitsch), Joao Silva (Neels Van Jaarsveld), and Ken Oosterbroek (Frank Rautenbach) as they cover the conflict between the African National Congress and the government-backed tribal factions. Often traveling together yet highly competitive about getting the “best” shot, the adrenaline-propelled foursome become known as the Bang Bang Club. Greg is a newcomer, working freelance, backed by photo editor Robin Comley (Malin Akerman), who loathes dating lensmen but cannot resist his advances. But the romantic element is minor compared with the brutality that becomes the men's subject matter. Not in the same league as similar films such as Salvador and Before the Rain (or acclaimed documentaries like War Photographer and Robert Capa: In Love and War), this infuriatingly shallow film is not a necessary purchase. (S. Granger)
The Bang Bang Club
eOne, 97 min., R, DVD: $24.98, Blu-ray: $29.98, Aug. 16 Volume 26, Issue 4
The Bang Bang Club
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
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