The Beautiful Country (2004)
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77% of critics liked it
(75 reviews) -
75% of users liked it
(2,059 ratings)
A Vietnamese man looking for a better life embarks on a dangerous and eye-opening voyage to America in this powerful drama set during the early '90s. In 1990, Binh (Damien Nguyen) is a man in his early twenties who has never known his parents, though he is clearly of mixed-race parentage, which… More A Vietnamese man looking for a better life embarks on a dangerous and eye-opening voyage to America in this powerful drama set during the early '90s. In 1990, Binh (Damien Nguyen) is a man in his early twenties who has never known his parents, though he is clearly of mixed-race parentage, which makes him an outcast in his community. Weary of being treated like an animal, Binh sets out to find his mother, Mai (Thi Kim Xuan Chau), only to discover she works as a servant for a wealthy family who subject her to constant abuse, and that she has a baby son. When a household accident leads to the death of the matriarch, Mai, her infant, and Binh go on the run. Mai then confesses to Binh that she's dying, gives him all the money she has, and implores him to leave Vietnam for America, with his half-brother in tow. Unable to travel to America legally, Binh attempts to smuggle his way into the States aboard a ship; he's found out, and is sent to a prison camp in Malaysia, where he meets Ling (Bai Ling), a beautiful woman who has been forced into prostitution to support herself. Befriending Ling, Binh eventually arranges for passage to America aboard a refugee ship, though the harrowing voyage claims the life of Binh's half-brother. Binh and Ling arrive in New York City as illegal aliens, and soon learn that life in America can be just as harrowing as what they left behind; eventually, Binh runs away, hoping to make his way to Texas where he's learned that his father is living. Produced by Terrence Malick, The Beautiful Country also features supporting performances from Nick Nolte and Tim Roth. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Hans Petter Moland
- Written By
- Sabina Murray, Larry Gross
- Genres
- Drama
R,
- In Theaters
- Jul 8, 2005 Wide
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Classics
Critic Reviews
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J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader
Its epic tale of two cultures tragically entwined is anchored by deep and elemental emotions.
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Jason Anderson, Globe and Mail
Conditions for the characters may be bleak, but their perseverance makes the story compelling.
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Peter Howell, Toronto Star
[A] graceful and yet harrowing drama.
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Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press
A poignant and affecting portrait of the war's lingering consequences.
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Desson Thomson, Washington Post
At times, the movie feels like a manufactured Asian Chocolat, which drives the label 'art house movie' even further into mainstream banality.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Cast
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Damien Nguyen
as Binh
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Nick Nolte
as Steve
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Tim Roth
as Captain Oh
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Ling Bai
as Ling
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Temuera Morrison
as Snake Eyes
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Tranh Dang Quoc Thinh
as Tam
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Thi Kim Xuan Chau
as Mai
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Anh Thu
as Mrs. Hoa
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Khuong Duc Thuan
as Mrs. Hoa's Son
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Vu Tang
as Servant
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Than Kien Nguyen
as Riley
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Bui Ti Hong
as Crippled Woman
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John Hussey
as Jerry
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Chapman To
as Chingmy
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Arthur J. Nascarella
as Gruff
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Glen Bradford
as Wayne
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Xuan Phuc Dins
as Pham
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Damien Hung
as Eng
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Thi Hoa Mai
as Wa
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Man-chat To
as Chingmy
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Dang Quoc Thinh Tran
as Tam
- Ka Duy Pham
- Minh Trang Ngo
- Thu An Nguyen
