The Last Lions

I walked into this movie somewhat by chance but I had heard the interview the film makers had done with Terry Gross on NPR. And I was very surprised that despite a constant narrative by the great Jeremy Irons, this film works. The question remains-can we take the humanizing of wild animals too far? The answer is, probably not, because humans NEED this point of view to develop empathy for these ferocious beasts. At least this is the point of view of the makers of this beautifully filmed and surprising documentary. What I find missing is more about the ugliness of the human condition, bent on every type of destruction of the wild, promoting guns and hunting like this is some type of sport, and a culture everywhere that promotes economies built on destructive and deadly consequences. But that is probably another film and another day. Here we have a meditation of nature, its cruelties, pathos and sheer beauty that you will never forget. Don't miss this one.