Born of War *** (2013, James Frain, Sofia Black-D’Elia, Lydia Leonard) – Movie Review

Sofia Black-D’Elia stars as Oxford student Mina, whose parents are murdered in a violent invasion on her family home. Only she and her 10-year-old sister survive the attack. They are then taken into protection, and kept separate, with Mina supposedly dead to the world.

MI6 boss Olivia (Lydia Leonard) reveals that Mina’s mother had an illicit affair with the leader of the tribal family with whom she stayed back in 1988. Mina is his daughter, and he wants her back.

Her real father is a terrorist, and behind the killings. To get revenge, Mina works with maverick British Intelligence freelance Simon (James Frain) to try to take him down.

Co-writer/director Vicky Jewson turns in a creditable and enterprising low-budget action thriller, with plenty of fast-moving action thrills, a feisty heroine, and plenty of skulduggery.

Black-D’Elia gives an excellent central performance, cementing the film together. There are a few rough edges and slight pacing wobbles, but generally, with its intelligent, thoughtful script, and decent dialogue, it is a success. It’s played low-key and naturalistic, which helps keep it credible, though that keeps Frain maybe a little bit quieter than he needs to be. He looks good in the action, though, and director Jewson shows flair for action too.

© Derek Winnert 2015 Movie Review

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