
An Ordinary Man
By Michael Ordona,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Language, mild violence in war-criminal drama.

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An Ordinary Man
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What's the Story?
AN ORDINARY MAN stars Ben Kingsley as the General, a fugitive Serbian war criminal being shuttled around his country by allies (primarily Miro, played by Peter Serafinowicz) to avoid capture. The General's enforced seclusion is a lonely life; then young cleaning woman Tanja (Hera Hilmar) stumbles into his sphere. As the General grows more reckless, the search for him draws tighter -- and he and Tanja form an unlikely bond.
Is It Any Good?
This drama is extremely well-acted, and the cinematography and Serbian locations create a strong sense of place, but it lacks tension. An Ordinary Man isn't a thriller; it's a character study that delves into the humanity of someone who's committed inhuman acts. The film benefits from the expertise of Oscar-winner Kingsley and exciting Icelandic newcomer Hilmar as the initially hapless maid. Kingsley's General has his routine, prefers certain music, is starved for human connection. And Hilmar is a real find. Her outstanding performance is intelligent and multilayered. When she reveals new sides of herself, they're both surprising and organic. Hilmar has had limited Stateside exposure (though one role was in the controversial The Ottoman Lieutenant, also with Kingsley); hopefully, we'll be seeing much more of her.
But the film's fundamental lack of tension is a real problem. An Ordinary Man skirts certain realities: There's very brief discussion of the General's crimes; his hatred of Muslims is only briefly alluded to in a glance at a woman praying, and the human costs of what he's done are referred to only philosophically. The film is really about the futility of horrific actions taken "in service of ... country." We're never really afraid for his capture; he belies the supposed danger with careless actions, which would serve as a strong character trait in a thriller if there were actual consequences throughout. But as it is, that lack of aftereffects, especially in the way the film glides over his crimes, is probably the missing ballast. The superb Max (2002), which fictionally examined Hitler's failed-artist past, also hinted ominously at the dictator's future, making the whole exercise much more consequential. Likewise, Death and the Maiden, also starring Kingsley, carried more weight. An Ordinary Man owes more in tone to writer-director Brad Silberling's previous 10 Items or Less, in which an experienced older man (Morgan Freeman) wistfully instructs and learns from a beautiful young woman (Paz Vega). Ordinary doesn't captivate, but its performances reward connoisseurs of acting.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the General is portrayed in An Ordinary Man. Actors always want to "find the humanity" in their roles, perhaps especially when they play villains. Is this movie different from others in how it portrays someone who committed war crimes? If so, how? Why do you think the filmmakers made those choices, cinematically and artistically?
What would you say the film's themes are? Is it making a political statement, a philosophical one, or neither? Does it justify anyone's actions? Or is it ultimately about the futility of those wartime actions?
For a movie about war crimes, there's not a huge amount of violence in the film. Did that make the scenes that included violent moments more upsetting or effective? Why or why not?
Movie Details
- In theaters: April 13, 2018
- On DVD or streaming: June 12, 2018
- Cast: Ben Kingsley , Hera Hilmar , Peter Serafinowicz
- Director: Brad Silberling
- Inclusion Information: Indian/South Asian actors
- Studio: Saban Films
- Genre: Drama
- Run time: 90 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: language, some nudity, and brief violence
- Last updated: June 20, 2023
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