The Free World

Charged throughout with well-written monologues, talented leads, and a beautiful score--it fails to break out of its liberal cage of a perspective: White man = evil Cop = evil Black = good Woman = good Muslim = good There is literally no variation to this equation--the only variance being if characters fall into two opposite categories (black cop, Muslim white man e.g.).

Somber drama is saddled with too many perfunctory and predictable plot points, and some overripe directorial choices to be entirely successful (especially the constant use of caged dogs as an on-the-nose metaphor). Where this excels though is in Moss and Holbrook's scorching performances, who make you believe in these characters and their passions for each other. Spencer is a welcome presence in support, but feels severely underutilised.