Take that, Hollywood

This is a basically simple, 'quiet' film that manages to keep you riveted to the screen. An ordinary guy in Belgrade with an ordinary life and ordinary family worries, has a son who needs an impossibly expensive operation in Berlin to save his life. He finds there is only one way to get the money -- to do something he cannot imagine ever doing.

The Trap is expertly directed and the acting is first-rate. But what is perhaps most impressive is that it comes from Serbia, a nation with about 10 million people. I can't recall the last time I saw a Hollywood flick that even came close to the simple plot, the odd twists of fate that wrap themselves around the besieged and devoted father. And there are NO 'blow-'em-up-real-good' computer graphics that trip over each other. It's just a straightforward story with a powerful ending that needs no special effects. A great achievement, but (shudder) I heard Hollywood wants to remake it. Say it ain't so.

Film Movement, which released The Trap, specializes in 'small' films from around the world. Bravo to them. (Fast postscipt: I am not associated with Film Movement in ANY way.)