An Ordinary Man Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

Trailer
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😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

🍿 An Ordinary Man: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A War Criminal in Hiding

The film introduces ‘The General’ (played by Ben Kingsley), a notorious war criminal wanted by international authorities but protected by loyalists. He is constantly moved between safe houses in an unnamed country, presumably in the former Yugoslavia. Despite being in hiding, The General is restless and often defies his handlers by venturing out in public, driven by a desire to live, or at least appear, like an ordinary man.

An Ordinary Man Scene 1

The Arrival of Tanja

At a new location, The General is assigned a young woman named Tanja (Hera Hilmar) who is presented as his maid and sole connection to the outside world. Initially suspicious, The General subjects Tanja to tests of loyalty and obedience. A tense dynamic develops as Tanja becomes responsible for his daily needs, navigating his volatile moods, and facilitating his limited interactions with his handler, Miro.

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A Developing Relationship

As days turn into weeks, an unexpected and complex relationship forms between the isolated General and the enigmatic maid. They engage in lengthy conversations, playing chess, sharing meals, and even venturing out for walks. Through their interactions, glimpses of The General’s past and his justifications for his actions are revealed, challenging Tanja’s perceptions and blurring the lines of their forced cohabitation.

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Testing the Boundaries

The General’s impulsiveness and desire for ‘normalcy’ lead to risky excursions, including visiting a local market or a dance hall. Tanja is forced to accompany him, fearing discovery with every public appearance. These outings highlight the constant threat surrounding them and add tension to their confined existence, revealing the dangers inherent in The General’s refusal to remain completely hidden.

An Ordinary Man Scene 4

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

If you plan to watch the movie first, watch here and come back to this section afterward.

🎬 Cast & Characters

  • The General (Ben Kingsley): A notorious war criminal in hiding who forms an unexpected bond with his maid.
  • Tanja (Hera Hilmar): The young woman hired as a maid who becomes the war criminal’s only connection to the outside world.
  • Miro (Peter Serafinowicz): The handler responsible for moving and protecting the war criminal.

💬 Memorable Quotes

  • The General: “Quite a pair, aren’t we? I can’t keep a relationship, you’re too scared to have one.” – Said to Tanja, observing their contrasting difficulties with personal connections.
  • The General: “Men are invisible in the presence of beauty.” – His explanation to Tanja for why he feels safe going out in public with her.
  • The General: “I’m everywhere and nowhere. I’m a myth.” – His defiant and somewhat delusional description of his status as a hunted war criminal.
  • The General: “I just wanted to be an ordinary man.” – Reflecting on his life, contrasting his current state of hiding with a simple desire.

💰Box Office

  • Budget: $6,000,000
  • Domestic Gross: Unknown
  • Worldwide Gross: Unknown

💥 An Ordinary Man Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this expecting a tense thriller about a war criminal hiding, and… it’s kinda that, but also just a lot of him arguing with his maid. Ben Kingsley is, expectedly, brilliant; he just completely owns the screen and is mesmerizing even when his character is being awful or just weirdly childlike. Hera Hilmar is great too, really subtle work, and you feel for her trapped in this bizarre situation. Their dynamic is definitely the core of the movie. There are moments of real tension and some genuinely fascinating conversations about guilt and identity. But yeah, it is slow, like, *really* slow at times. And the ending… man, the ending. It just kind of happens and leaves you scratching your head, undoing some of the emotional investment you built. It felt abrupt and didn’t quite land for me, but it certainly sparked a lot of discussion afterward!

  • Who would enjoy:
    • “Fans of Ben Kingsley’s performances”
    • “Viewers interested in character-driven psychological dramas”
    • “Audiences who appreciate slow-burn films focused on dialogue and interaction”
    • “Those intrigued by themes of war consequences and isolation”
  • Content warnings ⚠:
    • “Rated R for language, some nudity, and brief violence.”
    • “Themes of war crimes and atrocities (though not explicitly depicted in detail).”
    • “Female frontal nudity (brief, non-sexual context).”
    • “Abrupt and potentially disturbing ending involving violence.”
    • “May be slow-paced for viewers seeking action or clear plot resolution.”

Professional Reviews

  • Synthesized: “Ben Kingsley delivers a captivating performance as the General, anchoring this slow-burn drama. While the script occasionally meanders and the pacing can feel sluggish, the intense character study offers a unique, albeit challenging, look at isolation and consequence. It’s a film that relies heavily on its leads, and they largely succeed in making the tense dynamic compelling, despite a divisive ending that leaves much to interpretation.
  • Synthesized: “An Ordinary Man is less about plot and more about uncomfortable cohabitation. Hera Hilmar is understated yet effective as the maid, offering a counterpoint to Kingsley’s bombastic war criminal. The film builds a quiet tension, but frustrating narrative choices, including a bewildering use of accents and an abrupt, nonsensical conclusion, undermine the strong central performances. Worth watching for Kingsley, but approach with caution.

Audience Reactions

Ben Kingsley’s performance was widely praised as a masterclass.: Viewers appreciated the intense character study and the compelling dynamic between the two leads.

The slow pace and confusing ending were common points of criticism.: Many felt the narrative lacked focus or a satisfying resolution, despite strong acting.

Overall Consensus: A polarizing drama praised for Ben Kingsley’s commanding performance and the central character dynamic, but often criticized for its slow pacing, questionable narrative choices, and a widely disliked ending.

Awards

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🛠️ Behind the Scenes

  • “Edmund Kingsley, who plays the ER intern, is the son of lead actor Ben Kingsley.”
  • “There is a noted goof where a street view is mirrored, making it appear as a left-hand drivable area, which is incorrect for the filming location.”
  • “Filming took place entirely in Belgrade, Serbia.”

🖥️ How to Watch An Ordinary Man?

Finding where to watch ‘An Ordinary Man’ can vary by region and platform. The film is typically available for digital purchase or rent through major online video stores. Check platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu for the most current options and pricing. Availability on subscription streaming services may change over time, so it’s best to check your preferred platforms directly.

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🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed An Ordinary Man, you might like these similar films:

  • The Debt (2010): Focuses on agents dealing with the capture of a Nazi war criminal, exploring themes of confronting the past and the burden of guilt.
  • Room (2015): Features a relationship formed under duress in a confined space, exploring complex power dynamics and psychological endurance.
  • Leave No Trace (2018): Depicts a father and daughter living off-grid to avoid authorities, sharing themes of isolation, a fugitive lifestyle, and the strains on a relationship.
  • The Guilty (2021): A psychological thriller largely confined to one location, centered around a character dealing with moral ambiguity and intense pressure, similar to the psychological focus on the General.
  • The Conversation (1974): A slow-burn psychological thriller centered on a surveillance expert grappling with isolation, guilt, and the consequences of his actions, echoing the themes of being watched and internal turmoil.

🛒 An Ordinary Man Related Products

🎧 Soundtrack

An Ordinary Man features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

What is ‘An Ordinary Man’ about?

‘An Ordinary Man’ is a psychological drama thriller about a war criminal hiding from international authorities. The story primarily focuses on his isolated existence and the complex relationship he develops with his assigned maid, who becomes his only connection to the outside world.

Is ‘An Ordinary Man’ based on a true story?

While the film deals with the reality of war criminals from conflicts like those in the former Yugoslavia, ‘An Ordinary Man’ is not explicitly based on one specific individual. The character of ‘The General’ is described as being loosely based on figures like Ratko Mladić, representing the type of war criminal who evaded capture for a significant period.

What happens at the end of ‘An Ordinary Man’?

SPOILER: At the end of ‘An Ordinary Man’, the maid, Tanja, is suddenly shot and killed while walking with The General. The final scene shows The General alone in his safe house with a gun and bullets, while a news report falsely claims he has been captured. The ending leaves his fate ambiguous.

Why does Ben Kingsley have that accent in ‘An Ordinary Man’?

Ben Kingsley uses a specific British accent (described by some reviewers as North Lancashire/West Yorkshire) in the film, despite the setting being in Eastern Europe. The director, Brad Silberling, stated this artistic choice was made to allow the actors ‘expression to come freely’ rather than focusing on mimicking a specific regional accent from the film’s setting. It was a deliberate creative decision, though one noted as confusing by some viewers.

Who plays the maid in ‘An Ordinary Man’?

The character Tanja, the maid who becomes the General’s companion, is played by Icelandic actress Hera Hilmar. Her performance opposite Ben Kingsley was noted by several reviewers.

Are any of the actors in ‘An Ordinary Man’ related?

Yes, Ben Kingsley’s son, Edmund Kingsley, appears in the film as the ER intern. This is noted as a piece of trivia about the production.

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