Sound of Freedom, 2023.
Directed by Alejandro Monteverde.
Starring Jim Caviezel, Mira Sorvino, Bill Camp, Cristal Aparicio, Lucás Ávila, Kurt Fuller, Gerardo Taracena, José Zúñiga, Scott Haze, Gary Basaraba, Eduardo Verástegui, Manny Pérez, Gustavo Sánchez, Parra Javier Godino, James Quattrochi, Alanna De La Rossa, Ariel Sierra, Kris Avedisian, and Jaime Newball.
SYNOPSIS:
The incredible true story of a former government agent turned vigilante who embarks on a dangerous mission to rescue hundreds of children from sex traffickers.
In Sound of Freedom (a project that star Jim Caviezel is openly, deeply passionate about), director Alejandro Monteverde (co-writing alongside Rod Barr) acknowledges early on a gutwrenching fact that while many pedophiles are caught and incarcerated, the trafficked children often remain missing. Caught off guard into admitting this, Department of Homeland Security agent Tim Ballard (Jim Caviezel) understandably finds himself frustrated, convinced that more can be done. As such, he decides to go undercover around a newly detained perpetrator, expressing fake sexual lust for children, earning trust, and luring him into a long-con to rescue kids. He is successful and eager to set up similar, much larger operations, although he receives pushback as it’s not in the budget with no guarantee of results.
However, the heart of the film naturally comes from the victims. A harrowing opening sequence also shows the slimy deception that goes into kidnapping these victims (with the opening credits opting for something equally sinister as children are captured in broad daylight), with a woman posing as an entertainment agent (Yessica Borroto Perryman) in Honduras, telling a father that his young son Miguel (Lucás Ávila) and daughter Rocio (Cristal Aparicio) have what it takes to achieve success, presenting herself with enough credibility for the father to fall for the trap. When the father, who comes back later that night after auditions to pick up his children, finds the room empty, it is a legitimately devastating moment filled with immense sadness.
While no one wants the narrative to fall into straight-up exploitation, much of Sound of Freedom is understandably centered on Tim Ballard’s determination to make a lofty difference and improve the world, intimidating pedophiles with a tough-guy persona (which is obviously not a bad thing, but is often awkwardly delivered and doesn’t always fit the film’s dramatic tone). There’s nothing wrong with the choice but the execution, which sees him less as a character and more as an unflawed symbol for good. As a result, some of the dialogue is wonky in its intended inspiration.
Practically every other character in the film feels more real, most notably an American ex-pat named Vampiro (the always reliable Bill Camp) who recounts a horrifying story of not realizing that a sex worker he once picked up for fun was not 25 but actually 14, thus mentally scarring him and driving him to the brink of suicide. Now, he, too, has a chance to do some good.
There are also the usual clichéd family flashbacks to provide a more personal look at Tim’s life and that this mission is important as a father of young children. However, the flashbacks are so short and meaningless, amateurishly edited into the larger story, that one can’t help but feel they are an unnecessary waste of time, especially for a film that is already 2+ hours where some trimming could clearly be done.
Thankfully, once Tim Ballard quits his job and starts assembling rogue missions to rescue his children, Sound of Freedom comes alive with a series of elaborate stings escalating in danger. The goal is to rescue Miguel and then use his horrific knowledge to locate his slightly older sister. Naturally, this brings the characters close to some absolutely despicable human beings but rightfully done so with restraint to become a generic action rescue flick. The situations might become grander and more terrifying in scale, but wisely remain grounded in reality. As such, the second hour is much more engaging than the first and feels more focused. There is also a score by Javier Navarrete that, while sometimes feels overwhelming and forced, builds its way to a powerful climactic repeal utilizing subtitles of all things.
All of this is important for sure, though, and I’m sincerely happy the filmmakers and Jim Caviezel are getting something they are so passionate about into the world, but the execution here is weak. Sound of Freedom loudly bangs the drum for its important message, worshipping its protagonist without any thoughtful characterization, doing little of note beyond moving performances from Lucás Ávila and Cristal Aparicio as traumatized, tightly-bonded siblings.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★
Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association and the Critics Choice Association. He is also the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Check here for new reviews, follow my Twitter or Letterboxd, or email me at MetalGearSolid719@gmail.com
