“Tears of the Sun” is a 2003 action drama film directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Bruce Willis, Monica Bellucci, and Cole Hauser. The movie tells the story of a team of U.S. Navy SEALs who are sent on a mission to Nigeria to evacuate a doctor, Lena Fiore Kendricks (Monica Bellucci), from a village in the middle of a civil war.
As the SEAL team arrives in the village, they discover that the situation is far more complex than they were initially led to believe. Lena refuses to leave without her patients, and the SEAL team soon finds themselves escorting a group of refugees through the jungle, pursued by rebel forces.
The leader of the SEAL team, Lieutenant A.K. Waters (Bruce Willis), begins to question his orders and his loyalty to his country as he witnesses the suffering of the Nigerian people and becomes increasingly attached to the refugees under his protection. Waters faces a difficult decision when he learns that Lena is the wife of a prominent doctor who is being targeted by the rebels.
As the SEAL team and the refugees face numerous challenges and dangers along the way, Waters must decide whether to follow his orders and leave Lena and the refugees behind, or risk everything to protect them.
“Tears of the Sun” was praised for its realistic portrayal of the Nigerian civil war and its sensitive treatment of the humanitarian issues involved. The film also received critical acclaim for the performances of its cast, particularly Bruce Willis, who was praised for his nuanced portrayal of Lieutenant Waters. The movie was a box office success and is considered a standout in the genre of military action films.
Directed by | Antoine Fuqua, |
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Produced by | Ian Bryce Mike Lobell Arnold Rifkin |
Written by | Alex Lasker Patrick Cirillo |
Starring | Bruce Willis, Monica Bellucci, Cole Hauser, Tom Skerritt, |
Music by | Hans Zimmer |
Cinematography | Mauro Fiore |
Edited by | Conrad Buff |
Production company |
Columbia Pictures Revolution Studios Cheyenne Enterprises |
Distributed by | Sony Pictures Releasing |
Release date | March 7, 2003 |
Running time | 121 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $100.5 million |
Box office | $86.5 million |