I didn't know anything about General Trujillo or the Mirabal sisters, so this movie certainly served as a history lesson for me. Of course, I know parts of the movie are likely fictionalized. Although as far as I can see from Wikipedia, there were no major changes. I thought maybe the movie would slow and a bit of a drag like your typical sob story. But it wasn't. I found myself thoroughly engrossed and for the most part it was inspiring and the end (which I will not spoil here but those who know the history will know what happens) felt completely unexpected. But that's probably how it felt to the sisters too. My one impression had been that there was a slight tendency for the movie to be sentimental and paint things in black and white without nuance, but I can't really judge that without really knowing the history.
Review of In the Time of the Butterflies
