Edges of the Lord (2001)

Admirable film.

A different way of telling a story

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

This film is about a Jewish boy being sent to live with a catholic family during the Holocaust.Normally, a film about a boy suffering in the Holocaust should be a sure tear jerker that touches people right to the core. An example is the Oscar winning "Life Is Beautiful", which to me is still the best film of all time.However, "Edges of the Lord" is a rare example of a failed Holocaust film. It documents the mischiefs of a group of children that is only weakly related to the Holocaust, that they who could have been anyone in any place. The story is not engaging, and lacks emotional portrayal either, as it keeps going on and on about rather unusual acts between the children. Seriously, how could a teenage girl invite a young boy into a room for an hour and then want the other boys to stone her? Or a young boy running naked in the rain? The plot is weak to start with, and spirals out of control into unforgivable chaos that is beyond redemption.The deadliest weak point though, is the accent. It is understandable that the director wants to make the film "authentic", but if so, why not make the film in Polish or in German? It would have been even more authentic, and easy on the ears. The resultant fake Polish accent in "Edges of the Lord" is a strange chimera that is very unpleasant on the ears.The only strong point I can think of is the strong acting by Liam Hess. "Edges of the Lord" is still a big disappointment.

This is the MOST disturbing film I have seen in a long time. If you like this movie go rent Bastard out of Carolina. My God!! A child who believes he is Christ...meh? Good?? No!! Hangs himself on a tree?? No!! Good Movie?? NO!! Put it back where you found it and run away!! Why, oh why, would that dear boy whom everyone had such high hope for after the Sixth Sense be in something this truly traumatizing? At times I wished that I too had a whip so that I too could whip myself for renting this dreadful, horrifying, disturbing movie!! I was banned from the movie selecting for months after this one!! I repeat myself, do not get this movie!! Put it back on the self, that one in front of you, and leave. Go rent a happy movie. I recommend Max Magician and the Legand of the Rings. At least you will get a decent laugh.

There are two stories going on at the same time in this movie, there is the main story of Osment hiding out from the Germans and the tragedy of war, but there is also the story of Jesus. Tolo decides to act out the life of Jesus because the priest told them to "become" figures from the bible, Tolo, the youngest child, chose Jesus and took the role VERY seriously. He wants to suffer to save those he loves from the horror of war. He is shocked to find out Jesus was a Jew and pretends that he is one as well. I loved this movie. I thought it was compelling and very realistic. It shows raw emotion and how people's behavior can change when their lives or the lives of their loved ones are threatened.

"Edges of the Lord" ("Boze skrawki") by Yurek Bogayewicz is GREAT motion picture.Haley Joel Osment plays Romek, a 11-year-old Jewish boy hides with a family of Catholic peasant farmers to escape the Nazis. I love this boy, and in "Edges.' he's really great. But in this movie we have new very talented child actor, too. 8-year-old Liam Hess, who plays Tolo, little Polish boy, who want save the world is amazing. I never forget this little child with big, sad, grey eyes. Other kids, young polish actors, are pretty good. Willem Defoe and polish actors, Olaf Lubaszenko, Malgorzata Foremniak and Andrzej Grabowski (star of the stupid, but very popular polish TV-series `Swiat wedlug Kiepskich') are 'nice for eyes', but nothing more.This story is very ambitious, cruel and... true. About war and children. Children and - that's the most important - their lost purity.In my opinion - 8/10. But, I know, not for all.