I originally saw Stander shortly after it hit DVD in 2004-2005. I though it was great blend of a white policeman losing his way under the pressure of inequality & racism in apartheid South Africa robbing banks rebelling against the system. I was younger. I bought into the illusion of "based on a true story".
Present day, I still very much enjoy it. Thomas Jane gives a fantastic performance as Andre Stander and his two bank robbing real life associates are known actors in Dexter Fletcher (Layer Cake, Band Of Brothers) & David O'Hara (Braveheart, The Departed). Plus Deborah Kara Unger gives a grounded performance as Standers wife.
However you start digging into the real story this is based on and you can quickly deduct Stander might have been an adrenaline junkie or rebelling against his silver spoon upbringing. A lot of the events as they are shown here aren't factual. I don't hold that against the movie. I know it has to be an entertaining commercial product, but it deadens the message a bit. Doesn't make Stander as smart or sympathetic as this film wants you to believe.
If you put that aside, the characters, plot, bits of action and tension work pretty well. Jane gives one of his best performances and 'Stander' doesn't shy away from nasty world history and topics that are rather unpleasant but can't be dismissed or swept away. Tune in for the action, unique settings and acting is the name of the game here.
Present day, I still very much enjoy it. Thomas Jane gives a fantastic performance as Andre Stander and his two bank robbing real life associates are known actors in Dexter Fletcher (Layer Cake, Band Of Brothers) & David O'Hara (Braveheart, The Departed). Plus Deborah Kara Unger gives a grounded performance as Standers wife.
However you start digging into the real story this is based on and you can quickly deduct Stander might have been an adrenaline junkie or rebelling against his silver spoon upbringing. A lot of the events as they are shown here aren't factual. I don't hold that against the movie. I know it has to be an entertaining commercial product, but it deadens the message a bit. Doesn't make Stander as smart or sympathetic as this film wants you to believe.
If you put that aside, the characters, plot, bits of action and tension work pretty well. Jane gives one of his best performances and 'Stander' doesn't shy away from nasty world history and topics that are rather unpleasant but can't be dismissed or swept away. Tune in for the action, unique settings and acting is the name of the game here.