The Good Lie (2014)

*** out of ****

In the early and mid 1980s the African nation of Sudan was torn apart by civil war. As a result of mass executions of civilians and the burning of villages, millions of people were left homeless and forced to travel hundred, and often thousands of miles to find safe haven. These people were collectively called “The Lost Boys of Sudan” and the lucky ones ended up in refugee camps in Kenya. “The Good Lie” is about a group of children fleeing the war during this conflict, and their eventual move to and integration into the United States.

While watching, it seemed the first half hour was going to be the most heartfelt part of the film as we witness the murder of the adults in the childrens' village, and their exhaustive, dangerous 1000+ mile migration to safety. Theo is the oldest and the leader, and the rest of his bedraggled group consists of Memere, Jeremiah, Paul, Daniel, Gabriel and Abital. Not all of them make it, as Theo sacrifices himself to capture to save the rest of the group, Gabriel is killed by troops and Daniel succumbs to disease. While some have claimed this part of the story has been given a “Hollywood treatment” I still found it compelling and fascinating to watch.

But the really heartfelt part was yet to come. After thirteen years in the refugee camp, the remaining four (Mamere, Jeremiah, Paul and Abital) are selected via lottery for relocation to the United States. The rest of the film, which shows their difficulties with learning their new country's customs, as well as giving a very interesting insight on how immigrants must view life in the USA, is even more fascinating. Abital ends up being sent to Boston while the other three go to Kansas City, though they swear they will be together again. In Kansas City they meet Carrie (Reese Witherspoon), an employment placement officer who first tries to find them jobs and then befriends them.

Watching Mamere, Jeremiah and Paul adapt to Missouri life was a joy. Their shock at how electric lights work, their confusion about the “alarm” (the telephone), how they try to figure out what the straw is for at McDonald's..... all wonderfully described. And it is their sincerity that makes it all so intriguing – you genuinely like them and want good things for them. When they first say good bye to Carrie - who picked them up at the airport, got them some lunch and dropped them at their new apartment - Mamere says, “Our hearts throb with the many kindnesses you've shown us today.” I mean, how could you not like anyone so sincere?

They struggle with some aspects of American life. Throwing away old produce at their job at the supermarket clearly pains them, and Jeremiah is eventually fired for giving some away to a homeless person (saying “It is a sin not to give to those in need.”). Paul is introduced to marijuana by co-workers and acts suitably stupid. Mamere tries to be the head of the household, holding down two jobs while going to college, but his guilt over Theo's sacrifice of himself in Sudan consumes him, as well as his desire to reunite his “family” with Abital. Your heart aches for this group of lovely kids.....

Solid performances all around, and Witherspoon shines as Carrie. Happily, no attempt is made to give her character the “starlet” treatment – Carrie is just an average girl with an average job who tries to help some extraordinary people. Corey Stroll is excellent as the owner of the employment agency, who seems to have been detached from his job until meeting these people, when he finally figures out he'd do anything to help them.

The story is very simple, and no special effects and no (or minimal) stuntmen were used. Just a darn good story well told, with a terrific cast and good production. It is the hearts of the three principal characters that really take hold of you for the last hour or so of the movie, and you celebrate their every success and mourn their every setback. A really enjoyable film.