Catch a Fire: Hot or Not?

Freedom Fighter or Terrorist? Brutal law enforcer or protective family man? Does it matter if you do the wrong thing if you are doing it for the right reasons?

These are just a few of the questions that you will find yourself asking as you watch director Phillip Noyce's political drama, Catch a Fire. The film, which stars Tim Robbins and Derek Luke, tells the real life story of Patrick Chamusso. In 1980, Patrick was a decidedly impartial, non-politico working and raising a family in South Africa at the height of apartheid.

When the oil refinery where Patrick works is bombed, he comes in contact with Nic Vos, convincingly played by Robbins, the Colonel in the country's Police Security Branch. Patrick is the prime suspect. With seemingly no alibi, Patrick is beat and tortured and his wife is assaulted until he is forced to reveal a secret that will tear his family apart

Luke gives an impressive performance as the devoted family man whose world is soon turned upside down. As a result of the pain and suffering Patrick and his family are put through, he enlists as a freedom fighter in the African National Congress (ANC) and the chase begins. Vos leads a manhunt to capture Patrick and bring down the ANC.

Catch a Fire is a deeply moving film that brings to light many issues relevant today. Most notably, in this time of war, one wonders the effects prisoner brutality has on future attacks. Would Patrick have been forced into his radical activism if he hadn't been mistreated at the hands of the police?

Although Catch a Fire is a haunting reminder of the evils of apartheid, it is focuses more on the men involved. Both Patrick and Vos are devoted family men trying to do what they think is best to protect the families they love. It is this similarity that fuels each man on his path.

Although slow at times, Catch a Fire is a must see film. Its portrayal of actual events and people is true to life and the performances realistic and heartfelt. At the core of the matter, we learn that there is often gray, in the world of black and white. Catch a Fire is currently playing in theatres and is rated R for violence.