Alone Yet Not Alone (2013)

Truly Dreadful Film

Disapointment

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

I really wanted to like this movie. I really did. The premise is extremely interesting and the fact that it's based on a true story made it even more of a harrowing tale. My husband and I stumbled upon this movie while channel surfing overseas (go figure!). We had never even heard of this movie, but decided to give it a chance since it was an American-made film. While all of the actors are extremely attractive, the majority of them cannot act. Additionally, the portrayal of the natives is poor at best and racist at worst. I don't think the costume/design team did any research into what the natives in that particular area actually wore. When the main character, Barbara, (played by Kelly Greyson) is kidnapped and shown years later living among the natives, she's wearing a jean jacket and has a feather in her hair. Can you get any more generic?! Not to mention, all of the captives are forced to dye their blonde hair black? Really? It seems unlikely that this act actually took place back then. Additionally, the actors who portray the natives are speaking in somewhat broken English with perfect American accents. It's comical at times and annoying during other parts of the movie. I wish they could have effectively incorporated the natives' language rather than speaking in English. SPOILER ALERT AHEAD: The native who is in love with Barbara, named Galasko, is axed down by his rage-prone brother quite randomly. I understand that the brother has anger issues throughout the movie, but the plot fails to set up an arc of tension between himself and his brother effectively, or even develop the characters enough to warrant this random act of violence. In fact, this is a problem throughout the whole movie. The characterization and plot development are totally lacking. For example, when Galasko expresses his desire to marry Barbara, she is quite content. Literally one scene later, she realizes she cannot marry him because of her Christian faith (and the fact that her father's scalp hangs above Galasko's tent/home). You'd think that the Stockholm syndrome arc would be played out a little longer than one scene, but it's not. Another thing that bothered me, which bothers me about most Christian films, is how forcefully the topic of Jesus is introduced. I am a Christian and agree that we need more religious films out there. However, if the films are poorly made, then what's the point in making them? For example, in this film, Barbara has a discussion with Galasko about Jesus. The scene is so forced and cheesy, it's quite painful. Overall, this could have been a harrowing story about faith, love of family, and never giving up hope. Instead, it's a movie you watch to have some laughs.

I didn't know what to expect but found the film to be quite good, thought provoking, suspenseful and meaningful. Beautifully shot and quite intense many times throughout. Makes you appreciate the struggles involved by the colonists, the colony leaders, the British, the militia, the Native Americans and how all that affected families (one in particular) and individuals (a young girl in particular). Loyalty, friendship, betrayal, perseverance, faith, sacrifice, sadness and joy can all be found in this film as this story unfolds.Unlike films set in a mythical future, like Divergent for example, this one was shot in a realistic style as if the people were real and living in the real world, our world in the historical past. I soon found myself caught up in their various struggles and ironies and felt like I was with them there in the past. These people could easily have been your or my ancestors and indeed, our ancestors probably experienced lives very much like this whatever our heritage.You WILL feel when you see this film so I hope you don't mind feelings. Embrace the characters and go through the journey with them no matter what they must go through. You'll not be alone.

This is one of the greatest movies of 2013. I recently had the pleasure of viewing this movie and I cannot tell you how thrilled I was with everything about this movie. The acting was superb, just the right nuance, no over acting or under acting. The script was wonderful and the story was enthralling. I am surprised that this movie only garnered one Academy Award nomination, it deserved so many more. Kelly Greyson should have been nominated for best actress, and Ray Bengston should have been nominated for best director. This movie is so much better, wholesome, and fulfilling that the usual trash that is shown in theatres now-a-days. Do yourself and your family a big favor and catch this movie when it comes to your local theatre.

The first 30 minutes of this film is the only part worth watching. Once Kelly Grayson hits the screen, all believability is out the window. I could barely sit and watch the rest. The only tolerable actors were the extras. Miss Grayson's character somehow managed to maintain clean clothes and perfect teeth despite living in the woods with her native captors. The British General was so poorly acted as to be comical. The only redeeming quality of this film is the beautiful cinematography, and much of this is marred by poor color correction and editing. All in all, an extremely poor treatment of a very touching historical event. Don't waste your time.