I found this movie while looking for movies with Joaquin Phoenix in them. At first I thought this could be another made-for-TV movies, but the mention of Malaysia made me look up.
The actors are good, with them acting out their roles very well. I thought more exposure should be given to the circumstances of Lewis in prison, the initial trial, and some scenes of him being taken to prison. As the story unfold, I understood that the movie is not so much about Lewis, but more of the inter-play of emotions of Sheriff and Tony, as well as the effort of Beth to convince them to return to Malaysia, to save the life of Lewis.
Very straight forward story line, with a little twist towards the end. Overall a good lesson for the young and reckless about the consequence of taking it easy with drugs, especially in a foreign country.
No justice done about the conditions in Malaysia, however. The opening scenes are done in Thailand, with bits done with Malaysian actors. The prison looks real shabby, broken down and filthy. The prison guards and the Ministry of Interior would be up for prosecution here in Malaysia if they let the conditions to be that bad.
First of all, the guards do speak English, most Malaysians do. The court scene were done in Malay because that's the standard procedure. If the person on trial does not understand Malay, an interpreter would be provided.
Secondly, the legal system here would allow appeals and stay of execution if there are new evidence produced. If this is real, Lewis' case would probably be thrown on technical grounds, as there are doubt that the drugs are not entirely his, and not within his control.
Treatment of prisoners in Malaysia is far better than that of the common citizen sometimes. A person facing death penalty would be in a special cell, given the best treatment to ensure their calm state of mind. Regular service by the prison priest would be done to help the prisoner come to terms with the inevitable, and to counsel the prisoner. Hanging would NEVER be done in the open, prisoners would be given time to pray, say their goodbyes, meet relatives or friends in a calm manner. Malaysian prison guards are trained to ensure the welfare of the prisoners, prisons well lighted, and clean.
I'm sure that if the producers approached the Ministry officials with the proper storyline and intentions, the government would be glad to help get them. For all you know, they may even get some funding for promoting Malaysia from the government.
The actors are good, with them acting out their roles very well. I thought more exposure should be given to the circumstances of Lewis in prison, the initial trial, and some scenes of him being taken to prison. As the story unfold, I understood that the movie is not so much about Lewis, but more of the inter-play of emotions of Sheriff and Tony, as well as the effort of Beth to convince them to return to Malaysia, to save the life of Lewis.
Very straight forward story line, with a little twist towards the end. Overall a good lesson for the young and reckless about the consequence of taking it easy with drugs, especially in a foreign country.
No justice done about the conditions in Malaysia, however. The opening scenes are done in Thailand, with bits done with Malaysian actors. The prison looks real shabby, broken down and filthy. The prison guards and the Ministry of Interior would be up for prosecution here in Malaysia if they let the conditions to be that bad.
First of all, the guards do speak English, most Malaysians do. The court scene were done in Malay because that's the standard procedure. If the person on trial does not understand Malay, an interpreter would be provided.
Secondly, the legal system here would allow appeals and stay of execution if there are new evidence produced. If this is real, Lewis' case would probably be thrown on technical grounds, as there are doubt that the drugs are not entirely his, and not within his control.
Treatment of prisoners in Malaysia is far better than that of the common citizen sometimes. A person facing death penalty would be in a special cell, given the best treatment to ensure their calm state of mind. Regular service by the prison priest would be done to help the prisoner come to terms with the inevitable, and to counsel the prisoner. Hanging would NEVER be done in the open, prisoners would be given time to pray, say their goodbyes, meet relatives or friends in a calm manner. Malaysian prison guards are trained to ensure the welfare of the prisoners, prisons well lighted, and clean.
I'm sure that if the producers approached the Ministry officials with the proper storyline and intentions, the government would be glad to help get them. For all you know, they may even get some funding for promoting Malaysia from the government.