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The Beautiful Country

Play trailer Poster for The Beautiful Country R 2005 2h 16m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
78% Tomatometer 76 Reviews 79% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
A Vietnamese youth (Damien Nguyen) of mixed race undertakes an arduous journey to the United States to find his American father (Nick Nolte).
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The Beautiful Country

The Beautiful Country

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Critics Consensus

The plight of Asian refugees is sensitively rendered, and the movie builds, with the help of Nolte, to a wrenchingly poignant conclusion.

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Critics Reviews

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J. R. Jones Chicago Reader Apr 12, 2010
Its epic tale of two cultures tragically entwined is anchored by deep and elemental emotions. Go to Full Review Marjorie Baumgarten Austin Chronicle Aug 7, 2005
2.5/5
The Beautiful Country provides a panorama without insight. Go to Full Review Jason Anderson Globe and Mail Aug 5, 2005
2.5/4
Conditions for the characters may be bleak, but their perseverance makes the story compelling. Go to Full Review Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com Apr 16, 2009
B
This haunting film casts a wide swath that veers between obvious cliches and intensely visceral truths. Go to Full Review Kam Williams Upstage Magazine May 7, 2007
3.5/4
Worthwhile as an informative and touching reminder of the existence of a forgotten set of innocent victims of the Vietnam conflict. Go to Full Review Rex Roberts Film Journal International Feb 22, 2007
An ambitious movie made on a modest budget, its intention is better than its execution. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Sep 22, 2026 The Beautiful Country I caught on TV thus my *4* star rating! See more Rick R @RT71560692 Jan 21, 2024 Watching this astonishing film is a humbling experience. Technically it is superb and wonderfully directed so that its rhythm has a spellbinding effect. Every single performance is exquisite but what really got me was the deeply spiritual undertone running through the narrative despite the harrowing scenes. Binh's odyssey in searching for his true parents becomes the journey in which he finds himself, a journey we all are asked to undergo in one way or another. The beautifully understated scenes with Nick Nolte and Damien Nguyen offer a healing quality for the observer as well as the two characters involved. The only thing this brilliant film seems to have lacked was better marketing as it deserves to be showered with awards. Switch off the phone and bring your best attention. This film deserves that. See more Ęxçëşș M @ExcessMale Jan 20, 2022 It's an emotionally involving picture that, like the main character, embarks you on a noble transcontinental journey. Lavish exterior cinematography. See more Mar 3, 2020 Such an amazing film... Terribly underrated... One of best films ive ever seen... Blown away. See more Laurie S @Karlwinters Aug 19, 2019 A cut above the rest. An excellent film full of excitement, emotion and great depth. See more Jun 15, 2019 Quiet power. How the strength of genuine humility to mold one man's character from a life born in devastation of Vietnam. How love and hope can heal the most broken of circumstances. See more Read all reviews
The Beautiful Country

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Cast & Crew

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Hans Petter Moland

Director

Damien Nguyen

Binh

Nick Nolte

Steve

Tim Roth

Captain Oh

Bai Ling

Ling

Temuera Morrison

Snakehead

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The Beautiful Country

Nick Nolte as Steve in "The Beautiful Country." Nick Nolte as Steve in "The Beautiful Country." (L-R) Damien Nguyen as Binh and Bai Ling as Ling in " The Beautiful Country." A scene from the film "The Beautiful Country." A scene from the film "The Beautiful Country." A scene from the film "The Beautiful Country." A scene from the film "The Beautiful Country." Tim Roth as Captain Oh in "The Beautiful Country." A scene from the film "The Beautiful Country." Bai Ling as Ling in "The Beautiful Country." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis A Vietnamese youth (Damien Nguyen) of mixed race undertakes an arduous journey to the United States to find his American father (Nick Nolte).
Director
Hans Petter Moland
Producer
Tomas Backström, Petter J. Borgli, Terrence Malick, Edward R. Pressman
Screenwriter
Sabina Murray
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co
Sud-Est Productions, Sunflower Productions LLC
Rating
R (Some Language|Crude Sexual Reference)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 13, 2005, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Jul 8, 2005
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$442.6K
Runtime
2h 16m
Sound Mix
Dolby SRD
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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