Review of Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk (2016) by Christopher B — 14 Nov 2016

See it despite the Tomatometer.

Although no doubt conceived, written and shot before a Trump Presidency was on anyone's mind, this is a movie that should be seen both by his supporters and his detractors. Neither side will probably like the movie, they will argue about what it means, whose side is who on, but they should see it. That means, pretty much all of America.

The movie works on many levels, intellectual, emotional, political, but comes down to the brotherhood of the soldiers watching each others back in conflicts at home and abroad that they cannot fully understand or rationalize. The people waiting for them back home play a role too. There is a wonderful demonstration of soft power as an alternative to fighting when the squad of cheerleaders intercedes to extract the platoon from an awkward and escalating moment. Its view of the American Heartland and the sincere people who populate it, needs to be understood by people on the coasts. Its view on the cost of war and why we engage in it, needs to be understood by our politicians, to challenge them to truly honor veterans and respect the promises made to them.

While some of the scenes transitions are truly marvelous, the Texas sports arena turning into a mosque, a half time fireworks explosion turning into a dirt wall being blown out, but 3D is really wasted in other scenes. I really do not need to see Steve Martins nose emerging from the screen as his face fills the hall and he delivers a soliloquy.