The Film

Documentaries always run the risk of being too preachy, of force-feeding their message down the viewers’ mouths. There is a fine line between entertaining education and a feeling of sitting in science class watching a 1950s film about amoebas. God Grew Tired Of Us succeeds because it relies on human interest, allowing the story to shine with its own innate power rather than driving home an already obvious message.

Directed by Christopher Quinn, the film follows three Sudanese refugees (John, Panther, and Daniel) as they survive the harsh conditions of Africa only to arrive in America and start a new line in a completely foreign land. This is the ultimate fish-out-of-water story. These boys know nothing about the country, the culture, they just know there is a better life for themselves out there and they want to find it. Narrated by Nicole Kidman, the story is truly fascinating and an eye-opening for a country where people can easily forget the countless struggles of others.

The DVD

The video is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen. While the older footage is plagued with grain and other errors, the newly shot stuff is very clear. The level of detail is high and the print is clean. For a documentary it is quite sharp.

The audio is offered in English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound with English/Spanish subtitles. The mostly narrative-driven film is well balanced though tame for the most part. A few sequences liven up the sound stage, but with the exception of those moments just expect a clean, unobtrusive audio experience.

The Extras

Commentary is offered with Director Christopher Quinn and The Lost Boys. It’s a solid commentary track with the best tidbits coming from the Lost Boys’ input. It’s a good listen for anyone looking to flesh out the film a little more.

“Finding the Lost Boys” is a 15-minute featurette that covers the origins of the project and more. It’s not too in-depth and is a good supplement for people that don’t want to commit to the commentary track.

The Trailer and Previews are offered as well.

Final Thoughts

God Grew Tired Of Us is exactly the type of documentary it should be in every way. It won’t change your life, but it will at least remind you that there are far more serious problems in life than the average day-to-day drama. – Jeff Ritchie