Capsule reviews for March 28

Boys of Abu Ghraib

The intentions far outpace the execution in this thriller about the horrors of war from writer-director Luke Moran, who also stars as Jack, a young soldier whose enthusiasm for joining the Army quickly dissipates once he reaches Iraq and is assigned to guard detainees at the titular prison. Instead of abusing the captives as his superior (Sean Astin) suggests, he takes a more compassionate approach to help him get through each day. The film steers clear of the battlefield yet stumbles in its attempts at authenticity, and its tendency to water down the realities of Abu Ghraib trivializes its subject instead of providing depth or context. (Rated R, 102 minutes).

Breathe In

Strong performances can’t compensate for a trite and familiar script in the latest offbeat romance from director Drake Doremus (Like Crazy) that depicts a man enduring a mid-life crisis. Specifically, that’s Keith (Guy Pearce), a New York cellist and music teacher whose relationships with his wife (Amy Ryan) and teenage daughter (Mackenzie Davis) are tested by the arrival of a talented and flirty pianist (Felicity Jones) who comes to stay with them as a foreign-exchange student. There are some perceptive character-driven moments in this earnest domestic drama, yet this is familiar territory and the deliberately paced result gradually strains credibility and becomes less profound. (Rated R, 98 minutes).

Mistaken for Strangers

You certainly don’t have to be a fan of the indie-rock outfit The National to enjoy this documentary, which veers into unexpected territory with amusing results. It was supposed to be a chronicle of the band’s breakthrough 2010 tour as seen through the eyes of Tom Berninger, an aspiring filmmaker and the younger brother of the group’s lead singer. But as Tom immerses himself with the tour crew, the film shifts gears into a portrait of brotherhood and carving your own identity. The result lacks cohesion, but runs the emotional gamut while not sacrificing the musical sequences that are a staple of the rock-doc genre. (Not rated, 75 minutes).

The Raid 2

It’s more of the same, which is both a good and a bad thing, in this sequel to the ultraviolent 2012 thriller about mayhem involving cops and thugs in an Indonesian high-rise apartment building. This follow-up picks up chronologically where the first film left off, with Rama (Iko Uwais) going undercover to protect his family while becoming caught up in a battle between a corrupt police force and a ruthless crime syndicate. But of course, the plot isn’t the show here. It’s the relentless action set pieces, with their superb fight choreography and bloody bone-crunching. The result is exhausting, yet lacks the exhilaration of its predecessor. (Rated R, 148 minutes).