Parents' Guide to Mr. Jones

A slow yet powerful movie, this leaves a lasting effect that's not easy to shake off. Nor should it be, as it befits Jones' determination to make the world aware of the horrific events that occurred in the Ukraine during the 1930s. Much of the death occurs off-screen, though the remnants are there for all to see, often in deeply upsetting scenes. Yet Mr. Jones feels as though it only touches the surface of the Holodomor famine, with no chance to explore the lives of the victims. As such, perhaps a story of this magnitude warranted a longer format in the shape of a TV series. Something akin to another of the Ukraine's darkest moments, Chernobyl.

In terms of the performances, Peter Sarsgaard shines as the unsettling Walter Duranty, a man whose true motives are difficult to determine. Is he a true believer in Stalin or purely a man with ambitions of power? But the film belongs to Norton, who's in nearly every scene. His Welsh accent may come and go, but the balance between fragility and courageous is handled expertly. It's yet another noteworthy addition to a resume of an actor many have tipped to play the next James Bond. The movie is full of contrasts -- of haves and have nots -- that occasionally feel signposted. For example, after returning from the Soviet Union, Jones attends a lunch where he stares almost in disgust at the carving of some ham. But this is a story that, come the closing credits, will have you reaching for Wikipedia to learn more about Gareth Jones and the appalling events of Holodomor.