What this film needed.

Let me be clear, I am judging this film based on it's own merits. I don't care about the bad paparazzi or political vitriol surrounding it. As far as the allegations surrounding OUR are concerned, I don't presume to be the judge, jury and executioner. I'm not saying Tim Ballard is perfect or has done everything right. All I'll say is this...I WON'T ACCEPT A TRIAL BY MEDIA, SOCIAL MEDIA, FBI OR CIA. I feel terrible for him because the news treated him like he was legit in interviews eight years ago. Fast forward to 2023, a movie is made about his career, he's spoken to the government lobbying for laws to support his cause and has expressed the desire to run for senate then BOOM!!! All of sudden, these women "come out." and the media turns 90 degrees and claims his foundation never saved a single child. It just feels very politically motivated. Also, the FBI has a history of infiltrating spies to play a part, dig up dirt or fabricate stories about people they want to take down simply because they questioned the system or raised awareness to unpopular subjects. Look up Operation Mockingbird and Cointelpro. These are not conspiracy theories. These programs are well documented.

I don't want vengeance. I just want justice and truth.


As far as the movie is concerned, I give it 3.5 stars out of 5.


It's a good thriller with realistic settings and plenty of fear and suspense leading up to the climaxes. Also I liked how it ended the way it began with the girl playing her drums, signifying that she will eventually heal from the hell she's been through and hold on to good in her life, in spite of it all.

The plainclothes spy Vampiro was complex and well-written. His backstory was powerful and helps explain why he devoted his life to working for the detective agency. A thousand good deeds couldn't wash away what he did but it was the only way he could live with himself. I would like to see a whole film based on his character to explore how he became a black market salesman and how he found redemption after his episode with the streetwalker.


However, there are a few things I wish were different.

1. More scenes of Tim Ballard's family life to emphasize how he has two lives--professional and private. This would add complexity to his character. When he goes to work, he leaves the family man behind but when he goes home, he leaves the detective behind. Maybe a scene of him watching a cartoon with one of his younger daughters and listening to her talk about her school life. Maybe even a teddy bear in her room that serves as a brief painful reminder of the little boy he's been assigned to rescue. Maybe a scene where he explains to his eldest child (who is a teenager) what his job is all about. Also a scene of him having a nightmare about the children he couldn't save and his wife helping him get through the guilt--assuring him, it's okay to be human. Don't blame yourself for the people you couldn't save--just be grateful for the ones you COULD save. Like the story about the little girl who threw starfish back in the ocean so they wouldn't dry in the sun. "It made a difference to THAT one.

2. Maybe a subplot about a kid that escapes the predator who bought him. The kid kicks him in the crotch, throws something at his head, runs out the building--either through a door or window and tries to get back to his family. A survival story.

3. Why couldn't Tim just take the girl treading weeds in the jungle with the others right then and there when he was masquerading a doctor? Why couldn't he just tell her caretaker/predator "She's got the cholera. I have to quarantine her for a month." And then diagnose a few more kids and take them all with him back over the borders after being checked out by the guards? Then he could leave them behind at the border and just take the girl the rest of the way home. That way it would be a long time before the predator realized she had been taken away for good. It just felt like they delayed her rescue simply so the two men could have that emotionally satisfying wrestling match in the shack and it came across as contrived.


Other than that, it was a good solid movie. Not the best thriller but still a good one.

3.5/5