Post by FShuttari on May 30, 2017 0:07:33 GMT -5
I think this movie uses the tropes of a bunch of different genres, to keep the audience along for a sensitive character analysis of a true believer.
Try not to watch it with any expectations, it's not a war is bad movie, it's not a war is good movie, or a buddy/group road trip movie, or a mil-wife drama, or a wag the dog-eqse romp, it's not a mockumentary. It looks like those things, it uses the flavors and styles of those types of movies, but it's ultimatley about a good man buying the koolaid. It's a fascinating story, well shot, editing is 10 out of 10, pacing works just fine - if you were bored or had issue with the pacing do some deep breathing exercises. All the actors own their roles really well.
I think the most important analysis that could come out of this story is looking at how self preserving some ideologies can be, how it's harmful for the people saying "no, not possible" to always be told to fuck off or treated as disloyal cowards. It's a huge problem in the private sector, bosses don't want to hear no, they don't want to see balanced slow growth, any one caught with even a whiff of what could be construed as "negativity" is ignored or let go. Most popular social media has removed whatever their equivalent of the down thumb is. If there was ever an asteroid coming for the planet and going to wipe us all out, we'd lynch the astronomer who discovered it for ruining our planetary buzz. The movie keeps giving the audience these perfectly executed scenes that set us up to sympathize with the main character, and expect that he'll overcome. We all want this war business to be a matter of closing our eyes, counting to 10, and having it figured out by 10. The scene where the British soldier Groom steps up and says "You're going in to take nothing, for nothing." and McMahon says "Take a step back and let me fix this country." all bad ass like, that scene belongs in a movie where the underdog team of misfits 'win regionals', or 'go to state', or 'fix the country', through determination and montage shots alone. But McMahon isn't going to win, regardless of how badass or determined he, or any American, gets. The point is, it's not sexy, it's not action jackson, it's not fun, but sometimes listen to the Debby downer telling you "it ain't gonna happen."
Fantastic look at a person in power, worth all 2 hours.
