Dukale's Dream

Dukale's Dream is a sweet and well-intentioned documentary about superstar Jackman's life-changing connection with Dukale, a struggling Ethiopian coffee farmer. But by the end, the film can't escape a slightly bitter aftertaste of self promotion. Had the filmmaker spent slightly more time covering the Ethiopian economy -- and the way the coffee farmers were profiting from Jackman's efforts -- the movie wouldn't feel quite as much like an infomercial. The parts in Ethiopia are the best because -- as Furness points out -- there's something magical about seeing a farmer who's happy to work the land plant coffee trees alongside a movie star who lives in a $25 million apartment.

Jackman looks positively at ease sweating and digging in the dirt and playing with little Ethiopian kids, some of whom recognize him as Wolverine. And it's definitely remarkable that meeting Dukale inspired Jackman and Furness to vow never to drink coffee unless it's fair trade. Even the fact that Jackman starts a coffee business is great in theory -- but the way it's filmed comes off like an in-house video for a shareholders' meeting. It's a slightly less impactful ending to what's otherwise a powerful message about making every dollar count and how one influential person's generosity can make a world of difference.