Angelina Jolie, Clive Owen, Linus Roache

A romantic tale set across many years that centers around a medical student who thinks he has found his calling as an international disaster relief worker--until he gets sidetracked by a philanthropic...( read more  read more... ) socialite who is entrenched in a troubled marriage. The two keep inadvertently meeting up, and soon develop a special relationship, against the ever-changing backdrops of disasters and wars.

Flixster Users

77% liked it

28,095 ratings

Critics

14% liked it

99 critics

R, 2 hrs. 7 min.

Directed by: Martin Campbell

Release Date: October 24, 2003

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DVD Release Date: March 23, 2004

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Stats: 1,344 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,344)


  • September 21, 2008
    Nothing beyond average.
  • June 26, 2008
    SARAH : "Why do you never say my name?

    NICK :
    "Sorry?"

    SARAH : "You never say my name. Why?"

    NICK: "(pauses) What's the first thing you do when you get a cold?"

    SARA...( read more)H: "What?"

    NICK: "What's the first thing you do when you get a cold?"

    SARAH: "Uh... chicken soup, aspirin, scotch..."

    NICK: "You never just have the cold?"

    SARAH:"I don't know what..."

    NICK:"(interupts) Taken nothing. Just have the cold?"

    SARAH: "No"

    Let's say, if "Beyond Borders" was made in Tyrone Power-Katherine Hepburn's era, you would have sob your eyes out until you're running out of Kleenex. Though you know how corny and unrealistic this movie really is, you would've love it anyway and yeah I bet you would. Apparently, it contains with every essence required for a true Hollywood classic masterpiece. Quixotic anecdote. Passion. Both good looking male and female actors (gosh, I love Clive Owen!). War, particulary war. And personally I was pretty enjoying it and there never was a second it bores me. But reminiscing Doctor Zhivago in more colours on screen is a big NO.
    In point of fact, the idea of magnetizing people's concern of humanitarian disasters in certain origin itself is exceedingly smart. And it did work, though. I cried myself when it realize how tragic the colonization, starvation and poverty had done to them. Really is an eye opener to see the world we're living as what have been done. How tragic and unkind life can be for some of us and it all seems so unfair.
    Owen, in a role originally meant for Kevin Costner (an absence we shoudl and MUST be thankful for), offers a great charisma. I adore his stubborness as Dr. Nick Callahan. As he crashes in the fundraiser party Sarah Jordan is attending, how can I blame her falling for him? That man is bloody charming! Thank goodness it's someone who can save the whole movie with his impressive skill. I don't know how many times I said this, but I totally adore his accent.
    The film's chief problem is not so much the affair that eventually sparks between the two leads, but the incredulous manner they offered throughout the movie. A providential lady from an honored family, with all her future lies before her eyes, risking them all for some guy she (very sorry) banged once? Extremely wise, don't you think?
    I understand why Director Martin Campbell's adventure-romance came under critical attack. And I am definitely sure, the crisp white skirt that Jolie wears to Ethiopia doesn't get dirty (anyway, her lips are pretty distracting...thought you need to know)
    But with the help of exotic landscapes and human suffering scenes, ''Beyond Borders'' is peculiarly enjoyable.
    Two stars for Clive Owen, half for Angie, and the other one is for my guilty pleasure-ness...
  • March 7, 2008
    'Good Morning. my name is Angelina Jolie, and I am here to save the dying nation of Africa, bring McDonald's to the masses, and maybe get some good shots of me in while I'm at it'.

    Enough ranting. Basically, it tries to be controversial and fails. The acting is acceptable (Jolie...( read more) possesses striking aspects of her character. Hmm ...) But the colonialist views far override any sympathy for Third World countries.

    Same problem arose in The King and I. While the Siamese were all portrayed as barbaric peasants, it is the English woman who reigns supreme.

    Also, Angelina's lips constantly up close in my face detracted from the movie's charm. Average, I say.
  • June 9, 2007
    When you're watching starving, diseased people who die in droves daily for most of the movie, it feels strange saying that this is a "great" movie, even though that's what it is.

    If you ever feel sorry for yourself, watch this for about half an hour and I bet your outlook will...( read more) change.

    Interesting trivia: two of Angelina's children are adopted from 2 of the 3 countries featured.
  • February 24, 2007
    It's great that the movie tries to bring awareness to the issues in Africa but the movie comes out looking shallow and self absorbed
  • November 20, 2009
    Unlike the "Notebook", Jolie and Owen have a connection on screen. this film was one of the most daring and original Romanctic-Dramas I saw . I thought Jolie had finally turned into the Actress everyone thought she would be and was!

    The acting was almost pin-point perfect, bu...( read more)t the story was a work of blazing originalty. I felt deeply moved, and almost wanted to shed a tear. I highly reccomend you see this film.
  • October 15, 2009
    Zasto toliko volim ovaj film...? Jer je film po meni pomalo dokumentaristickog karaktera, ljubavna prica je izmijesana sa socijalnom; ona nije klasicna, vec ljubav koja se ne moze ostvariti i zato je tako stvarna i jaka.. njenu sam jacinu osjetila u svom srcu, a Angelina svojom u...( read more)vjerljivom glumom pridnosi filingu. Nije samo ta prava ljubav koja se desava samo ako si pravi sretnik ono zbog cega sam cmoljila.. tu je i ta nepravda u svijetu o kojoj ne razmisljamo sve dok je nama dobro.. a toliko ljudi na ovom svijetu pati, to je ono na sto nas film upozorava, i moram priznati da sam prolila dosta suza prisjetivsi se toga gledajuci ga. Mozda tu i tamo ima kliseja, ali su zanemarivi jer je prica zaokruzena i savrsena, a kraj nije klasicni hepi end. Jedan od najdrazih mi filmova, .. simply, volim kada film dira u srce.
  • October 9, 2009
    This is a very good movie !!!!!!!!
  • August 30, 2009
    Heartrendingly and fantastically acted
  • August 21, 2009
    good & real about war & its innocent victims too...

Critic Reviews


October 26, 2003
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

A melodrama with pretensions to humanitarian generosity. full review

October 24, 2003
Claudia Puig, USA Today

A far-fetched romantic adventure. full review

October 24, 2003
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Beyond Borders has good intentions and wants to call attention to the plight of refugees, but what a clueless vulgarization it makes of its worthy motives. full review

October 24, 2003
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

Beyond Borders so trivializes the plight of the world's displaced peoples that it becomes actively obnoxious. full review

October 24, 2003
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

The movie is mired in its good intentions, and ends up looking opportunistic and gauche. full review

October 23, 2003
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

The formula that gave life to such poignant and powerful films as The Killing Fields and The Year of Living Dangerously this time results in something closer to parody. full review

View more Beyond Borders reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • rimamouryn
    March 17, 2009
    I loved this movie
  • myoctoberblues
    November 3, 2007
    I loved that movie. Usually movies where people are having affairs really turn me off. Besides being a love story, we see the sacrifices people make for the less fortunate. But also, a lot of people can relate to the personal side of it. Bring tissues.
  • SchottieDee
    January 31, 2007
    This is a great movie. Both Angelina Jolie and Clive Owens were a great choice. The storyline goes into depth between the romance between the two and the problem that many people in world go through such as Poverty, War. Its a real eye opener.The music throughtout the movie has been beautifully composed and goes well with the movie. This move and Jolie have inspired me to consider becoming an Aid-Relief Worker when I'm older.
  • flixster89
    July 16, 2006
    Sarah Jordan & Nick Callahan Together, they would face the most forsaken lands on the globe, and become caught up in conflicts that raged around the world. Armed with compassion, mercy, and indomitable will, they would risk all they had, driven by their increasing passion for each other and their lives' humanitarian work.

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Beyond Borders Trivia


  • which actress played the part of sarah jordan in the film beyond borders  Answer »
  • In which 2003 movie do Angelina Jolie & Clive Owen star with the tagline: Where Hope Survives  Answer »
  • i was the daughter of a famous actor untill i went 'beyond borders'  Answer »
  • This British actor has starred in the following films: Gosford Park I'll Sleep When I'm Dead Beyond Borders Closer Derailed Who is he?  Answer »

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