Man to Man (2005)

Regis Wargnier's Man to Man movie continues the director's tradition of showing cultural complexes and conflicts between the East and the West (like he did in Indochine and East and West). In this movie starring Joseph Fiennes (as Dr. Dodd) and Kristin Scott Thomas (Madame Van nen Ende), the director combines his artistic talent and deep cultural sensitivity to come up with a believable, honest and harrowing portrayal of the Western man's (read: scientists) greed and arrogance.

Eager to prove their theory that the pygmies, Toko and Likola (Lomama Boseki and Cecile Bayiha), that they caught in the jungle of Central Africa, were the missing link between man and the apes, Dr. Dodd and two colleagues , Alex and Fraser (Iain Glen and Hugh Bonneville) started conducted experiments on them. While the latter two were thoroughly convinced of their "scientific" discovery, Dr. Dodd started entertaining doubts that the two creatures were no other than human beings.

Unwilling to expose Dr. Dodd's "crazy" sentiments over Toko and Likola, Alex and Fraser did drastic measures to prevent Dr. Dodd from presenting his own conclusions to the Royal Academy. Things turned nasty when Alex and Fraser learned that Likola was pregnant. They wanted to get her fetus aborted for further scientific experimentation. Toko, like a father and husband, tried to protect his family by hunting down Alex. He wounded the man but he himself fell to the wrath of the crowd who was only to willing to rid their city of "savages".

Man to Man, unlike what other critics painted it to be (as a movie not worth seeing), is a real gem and worthy of serious consideration and commendation. Though not necessarily great, the movie has some merits on it including the revisiting of some scientific dogmas perpetrated by a scientific community that would stop at nothing to gain fame and prestige. At once a commentary at how Western men view the rest of the world as the total Other and at the same time a moving film that shows that Science without regard to other people's faith and culture is in itself barbaric and savage. Wargnier's film soars high above the critics' complaint.

The fanatic verdict: Don't listen to the critics, see it yourself!