Same Kind of Different as Me

Of course the book is better, it always is. My hubby read and loved the book (although he felt the book had a slow start he stuck with it) He was eager to watch the movie... and he was very disappointed by it. As expected there were changes to the movie and things left out but beyond that, the movie was just lacking. I can't put my finger on it... the acting, the directing, no character development... definitely the pacing. The movie was slow and uneven and the acting was wooden and hollow... if it wasn't for these actors being famous I'd say the acting was almost amateur. They really could have done so much more with this heartwarming and encouraging true story In My Humble Opinion! 11/2019

This movie is a throwback to Hollywood's earlier days in the sense that it's all about the story and the acting. There's not a special effect to be seen.

The story is powerful. And the acting amazing. I had read the book and listened to an audio version, so I knew what was going to happen, and I was still moved. Djimon Honsou is terrific.

If you are looking for a light, fun night at the cinema, Same Kind of Different as Me is not your film. If you are looking for a memorable movie with powerful acting, it is.

I am not a regular viewer of Christian films, and I was kind of surprised that this film is considered one. But I guess when the initial distributor dropped the picture at the last minute, a Christian company picked it up. But why, if a movie conveys decent human values, and there happen to be a couple of scenes in a church, is it pigeonholed? It's message is not overtly Christian, yet it is so powerful it should speak to anyone, religious or not. I was truly shocked to read that the critics' reviews were not entirely favourable, that they thought it saccharine, and simplistic in terms of racial issues. Because of a dream, a couple of rich white folks befriend an old homeless black man, and it changes not only their three lives but those of many people in the community. I don't think that's self-congratulatory; it's TRUE! I thought all the characters were well developed, given that there wasn't a ton of backstory, but just enough. They were portrayed fairly but all they faced demons in their own ways. I was so moved and touched by the story, especially by the truly stunning acting of Djimon Hounsou, and by the scenes of his childhood in Jim Crow Louisiana. I'd easily see this again just for Hounsou's acting alone. What would anyone want to change? I am baffled.

At first, I thought, "Oh no, this is going to be a cheesy religious movie of some kind" but I changed that thinking quickly. It turned out to be extremely thought provoking on several levels. It made me want to do more with my life, reach out to others, and be a better person. Can't beat that for $5.50! I'm telling everyone I know that they should see it.

That this movie has not received the publicity and advanced advertising that it truly deserves is shameful -- the producers and production studio should be ashamed of themselves and they will reap their due reward from low attendance and most likely box office profit loss. This film definitely is worth its proverbial weight (cost) in gold. First and foremost is the plot itself, which propels the human instinct of avoidance of the uncomfortable, as with dirty homeless people, to a higher plane of reaching out, in caring rather than invasive ways, in order to actually help those less fortunate despite their social handicaps. That there is a Christian spirit about this movie is without doubt, but there is no specific religious dogma or theology. There is no "action", there is no graphic violence, there is no nudity, there is no profanity -- how completely refreshing in a movie. It is all character and dialog driven -- the acting is absolutely top notch, the dialog thoughtful and smart. The theme: reconciliation in all of our weakened or seemingly broken relationships if possible, with the onus being on ourselves to make the effort, in other words doing what we can to heal ourselves, and then being able to effectively, meaningfully reach out to and help those less fortunate, with respect rather than pity. This movie is a true treasure which, sadly I fear, will be missed by a very large audience due to lack of effective promotion.