FILM REVIEW

A Separation (PG-13), which won this year’s Oscar for best foreign film, tells of a married couple faced with a difficult decision—to improve the life of their child by moving to another country or to stay in Iran and look after a deteriorating parent who has Alzheimer’s disease. They decide to separate and put off divorce. Their separation leads to a succession of events that disrupt several lives and show the painful consequences of our decisions.—Gordon Houser

DVD REVIEWS

A Better Life (PG-13) is the story of a gardener in East L.A. who struggles to keep his son away from gangs and immigration agents while trying to give his son the opportunities he never had. Though topical at first, the story becomes specific and moving as we learn what such a situation entails. Demián Bichir is outstanding as the father.—gh

The Interrupters (unrated) tells the moving and surprising stories of three Violence Interrupters who try to protect their Chicago communities from the violence they once employed. The candid scenes of these courageous and gifted mediators interacting with people lured by anger to retaliate for violence done to them is remarkable. Though confusing at first, the film soon draws you in.—gh

TV REVIEW

The Amish is a documentary shown on PBS’s American Experience in February and available at pbs.org. Merging sometimes stunning photography (though not up close of the Amish) and interviews with scholars, including three Mennonites, the film clearly delineates Amish beliefs and history. It avoids the extremes of romanticizing or satirizing them but instead includes interviews that show the positive and negative aspects of the group. Overall, this is an excellent film that will be useful to those wanting to learn more.—gh