Xan (Alex Michaeletos) is a young boy living on a farm in South Africa with his parents Kristin and Peter (Hope Davis of "The Weather Man" and Campbell Scott of "Roger Dodger"). Dad allows Xan to bring an orphaned cheetah (Duma) into their home as a pet, though they both realize that Duma will have to be released back into the wild one day if he is to survive.

The story revolves around the relationship between Xan and Duma and how they both mature as they face challenges that come with the passage of time. When Xan’s father becomes seriously ill and eventually dies, life is no longer a fairy tale.

Authorities decide that it’s time for Duma to be held captive. To prevent that and make sure that the cheetah can live on his own Xan runs away to the desert with Duma in a quest for them both to be free. Xan wants to get Duma to a wildlife preserve area where the animals are protected, but his motorcycle runs out of gas and he has no more water. Ripkuna (Eamonn Walker of "Tears of the Sun"), a tribesman traveling back to his small village, comes to the rescue. He left his family some time ago to seek fortune, fame and the good life in the big city. His dream was a nightmare and although he’s returning home Ripkuna is not sure if they will accept him back into the family. Without being overly sentimental, Xan and Ripkuna help each other.

Eamonn Walker

Xan watches from a careful distance as Duma stalks his prey and attempts, unsuccessfully at first, to land a kill. Duma must be able to hunt and interact with his species in order to live. Young newcomer Alex Michaeletos, who plays Xan, has an easy, natural way with the cheetahs used in the film, as he has a pet cheetah of his own.

In between the human drama, there is a story about wild life in Africa. Much of the film is like being on a safari. The scenery is breathtaking and the animal sightings may at times be scary for very young children, but it is always gorgeous. A cheetah’s speed can go from 0-60 mph in two seconds! On the journey in the desert and forests, we are up close and personal with rhinos, water buffalo, snakes, lions, giraffes, crocodiles, elephants and wild boar.

Our favorite children’s movies often feature families that are dealing with life’s growing pains, and they may be animated (e.g., "Madagascar," "The Incredibles") or not. Here, there is no need for layered messages. In "Duma" director Carroll Ballard, who also did the fine film "Fly Away Home," children and adults look at life with a youthful eye. All of our life, we continue to struggle with the concepts of forgiveness and letting go. Ripkuna is seeking forgiveness from his family and Xan must learn to live with the death of his father. This is a wonderful family film that introduces those concepts to children in a positive and realistic way.