Sweetness in the Belly [DVD]

Dakota Fanning took a lot of abuse for participating in “whitewashing” in this highly emotional and politically complex movie. This is a 4.5⭐️ film, based on the book, with the same name and on the“Sweetness In the Belly”, takes place during the Ethiopian Civil War and the reign of Haile Selassie, under which almost 1M Hari people were forced to flee. This is a story about 2 women, one white, one black, both Muslim and both love the place and people they’ve left. They couldn’t be more different yet the same. The story is told via flashbacks that show Lily, (Fanning’s character), as an 8 y.o. child thru the years before and up to her escape from Ethiopia, where she meets Amina, Mosaku’s character.The element of whitewashing is critical to the plot of this story, as it begins. I love stories when as a reader or viewer, we have the opportunity to experience change in the characters; this is such a vehicle. All of the primary characters and most of the secondary, will come to learn that the color of one’s skin has nothing to do with what resides inside their mind & heart. For some it comes quickly, some it takes a while and still others, too long, but all this change makes for great cinema.Fanning is mesmerizing and it’s hard to believe she’s only 25 years old at the time this film was made. Wunmi Mosaku would have won an academy award, if this movie hadn’t been attacked by the short attention span, cancel culture know-it-all’s that ruined its commercial potential. The cinematography is excellent and if this were a book, I’d say it was atmospheric. All my senses were fully engaged while viewing.So why did I hold back 1/2 star? The sound, score and dialogue tracks on this film are not the same quality as the rest of it. I’ve got a really good, (BOSE) and brand new sound system. In fact, this system has an app to make dialogue stand out when it gets garbled by the soundtrack. No manner of adjustment could make it really easy to listen to. I tried both iPads and my phone and 2 TV’s - every appliance had variations on that theme; garbled dialogue. I just turned on the closed captioning to partner with the subtitles. There are too many subtle messages in this film to be missed, if you really want to appreciate it fully.An excellent film based on historical events that has political, social and human applications that could bless usall with good common sense, right now🍿

Enjoyed this movie very much. Only problem was it was too short. I wanted more story. I feel like the characters could have been developed with more back story to give it more depth. I didn’t want it to end.

Though I watched it because I am Ethiopian, I ended up liking it.

We really enjoyed this quiet, reflective movie. Such appropriate and motivational messaging for our current dark days. Dakota Fanning and Wunmi Mosaku were so good- their on-screen relationship so tangible and heart-warming. We give it only four stars because it left us wanting more, something even deeper (it was really more like 4.5). RECOMMEND!

Only complaint is that it ended a little abruptly (although I guess the book did too). Also would have liked a little more Lilly/Robin interaction.

Excellent story line... superb acting performance by Mosaku and Fanning ,both of whom deserve double Oscars. The indelible essence of hope and it's perseverance radiates throughout this work... bravo,bravo !!! ...the sublime cinematography compliments and enhances this piece.

Meh - acting was good, true story. Just slow, muted. I guess it was kinda nice to see behind the curtain, so to speak, of another culture. I could have spent my time better, but it was free.

I think Dakota Fanning did a great job in a very mature role. I appreciated learning about this part of history and am really confused about why the Rastafarians revere Haillie Selassie! I would highly recommend this movie to people who appreciate a movie outside of the norm.