ALIVE

SYNOPSIS: A Uruguayan rugby team is stranded in the snow swept Andes and forced to use desperate measures to survive after a plane crash.

BOTTOM LINE: For most people, the idea of sitting through a movie about people being forced to eat one another while trying not to freeze to death is fairly nauseating. I remember being somewhat nervous when I went to see this film in the theater. It's definitely not one to take in lightly after a big dinner. Since this is based on a true story, the cannibalism is essential to the plot and therefore not something merely thrown in for controversy. Thankfully, though it is part of this story, it is not the main focus and is dealt with in an appropriate and honorable manner. What unfolds is actually a powerful tale of survival against all odds. The plane crash is fiercely disturbing, so if you're afraid of flying this will not help ease your worries. However, the real drama begins once the survivors realize what an impossible situation they find themselves in. They're in the middle of the Andes Mountains, with no real food or shelter, forced into the unthinkable. It's a film you can't help but be moved by. Hawke, Spano and Hamilton give their very best, making their characters believable, honest and heroic. What they endure is beyond comprehension. I don't think I could have survived that long in the bitter cold. I moved to Los Angeles for a reason. This isn't a movie I would rush out and see, but if you're in the mood for a dose of reality with your cinema fare, this isn't a bad way to go.