Review of Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk (2016) by Orlando O — 19 Feb 2017

Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk is a war drama that could have been so much more as a movie. It tries to be an emotional moving picture about a young army specialist Billy (Joe Alwyn) after a battle in Iraq that left him emotionally scarred from losing one of his own and from taking a life. Being home, he is conflicted with the images of war that is preventing him on trying to live a normal life. His sister Kathryn (Kristen Stewart) is trying to convince him to stay or see a doctor that can diagnose him for the trauma. While, his Sgt Dime (Garrett Hedlund) is trying to get them prepped to going back to Iraq after their thanksgiving football tour with a halftime walk during the Destiny Child's concert.

The pro about the film, I am surprised to see Joe Alwyn delivering a semi decent performance as Billy Lynn. The way his character is trying to have a good time with his squad during the football event. But at the same time, he is struggling within. Even from his facial expressions, knowing that he is not entirely in peace. Being a first time on screen with this actor, I will say he did well for his first role on film.

The con about the movie, I am disappointed with this film overall. Especially, being an Ang Lee film, I was expecting a little bit more from his direction. He tended to focus on delivering an impressive quality on the technical part of his filmmaking by shooting in 4k. With this film and setting, I felt like this was not as noticeable or worth talking about except it being clear and making these characters feel like a cut out cardboard. The narrative structure of the film was all over the place and the pacing was incoherent. Which made it difficult to have emotions for these characters, even though it was suppose to have those feelings. Made the movie overall very boring. Lets talk about the dull subplots, with movie studio producer Albert (Chris Tucker) trying to get the rights from Billy and his squad to make a movie about them and their bravery mission. I also thought the action sequence with Billy and his squad fighting in a battle had some terrible editing and direction.

Billy Lynn is a war drama film that shows the struggles with PTSD and going back to war but Ang Lee's direction was so dull and disappointing. The film is very forgettable. Sad to say, because Joe Alwyn and the rest of the cast are talented but the script was all over the place with the halftime show, Billy's visit with the family, and his time in Iraq. I would not recommend it.