I love a good journey movie. You know, the kind that spans the globe and concludes with a satisfying payoff. It doesn’t have to feature exotic locales, but it helps the narrative if it does. That’s probably why I dig Bond movies so much; hopping from one cool place to another keeps things interesting. However, more important than location is the story. Enduring hardships, overcoming adversity and reaching a goal can make for a powerful film if executed correctly. The Pirates of the Caribbean is an example of a good journey movie. Another would be Vanishing Point. Each are very different but both deal with an attempt by a person or persons to achieve a goal. Like the old adage says, it’s not the destination that matters, it’s the journey. The Beautiful Country takes us on a long, heartfelt trip from Vietnam to Sweetwater, Texas.

Binh is a “bui doi,” which is the not-so-flattering term given to Vietnamese children with American fathers. It means less than dust, and Binh’s awful treatment in his homeland has labeled him an outcast. There is no longer a place for Binh in his village, so he sets off for Saigon to reunite with his long-lost mother. He finds her working as a maid and along with his younger half-brother Tam, the three attempt to make a home together. However, an unexpected tragedy forces Binh and Tam to flee Saigon for America in search of the father he’s never known.

Their travels land them in an Indonesian refugee camp where they meet Ling, a damaged young prostitute. Binh falls for Ling, but she sees him more as a friend. Wanting to see Binh and Tam get to America, Ling pays their way onto a freighter headed for the states. The ship’s captain is a human trafficker and grants Binh passage only if he agrees to work when he arrives in America. More heartache ensues, but Binh finally reaches New York City. His adventure is far from over. Emboldened by the taste of freedom, he heads to the desolate plains of Texas to find his father.

Director Hans Petter Moland and writer Sabina Murray craft three movies into one narrative. Binh’s life in Vietnam, his perilous ocean journey, and his time in America are all woven together seamlessly. The innate beauty of Vietnam contrasts wonderfully against the cramped, dingy bowels of a rusty freighter and the hustle and bustle of big city USA. Moland unfolds an epic story that defines the dangers of immigrating to a foreign country. Scared and virtually alone, Binh must fight every step of the way to stay alive and protect those he loves. His quest is sad, but also inspirational and admirable.

Damien Nguyen shines in his debut big-screen performance as Binh. Nguyen tackles a difficult role fearlessly; he hurdles a range of emotions from sad and lonely to courageous and determined. Asking an inexperienced actor to carry a film of this magnitude is risky, but Nguyen delivers at every turn. Binh constantly being referred to as “ugly” does nothing to lessen his internal kindness. All he wants is to locate his place in the world, to gain acceptance into a family and to establish his own identity. Bai Ling, Tim Roth and Nick Nolte provide solid support. Roth, in particular, is quite convincing as the hardened Captain Oh. Movies like The Beautiful Country can easily slip into the overblown melodrama category, but this one steers clear thanks to great direction and outstanding performances. It’s a journey movie worth your time.

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