film, flags and only minor flaws ~

[lookingland]

watched eastwood's Flags of our Fathers and liked it. good story, nicely put together, and a nicely anonymous cast for the most part, though barry pepper in fatigues is starting to get to be a bit much for me (not that there's anything wrong with him, i just don't think i have ever seen him wearing anything else, ever). i'm really looking forward to seeing Letters from Iwo Jima when it comes out in may (which i have heard is even better).

i think the ending on this one drags on a little bit (and is a tad redundant) ~ eastwood prolly could have shaved off enough of it to bring it in closer to the 2-hour mark. but i will say this: that scene where they go into the cave to see what the Japanese have done to Iggy seals in my mind that clint eastwood really knows what he's doing as a filmmaker and is easily up there among the other greats. it's an amazing moment ~ best in the whole movie and certainly one of the most powerful shots i've seen in a film.

so, thumbs up in spite of a bit of drag. very anxious to see the sequel ~

Comments

[seraphimsigrist.livejournal.com]

I hope it is essentially proAmerican?
The publicity rather played up the
cheapness and mendacity of the use of
the heros but the event was honorable
and necessary...
+S

[lookingland.livejournal.com]

i think it's anti-the commodifying of people and journalistic spin, but deeply pro-American (or at least the ideal of America). i think it tries to tell a very hard story about people who understand honor and necessity, but wished they hadn't been the ones picked to fill the shoes.

it mostly succeeds, i think. it's definitely flawed but a strong effort ~ and honest, i think, which is important.