Review of Buffalo Soldiers (2002) by Matt S — 06 Feb 2004

Early in the film, Ray Elwood (Joaquin Phoenix) makes the observation that "War is hell, but peace is [expletive] boring". Unfortunately, so is much of this movie. Buffalo Soldiers chronicles the exploits of Elwood, supply clerk in a unit stationed on a military base in West Germany around the time the Berlin Wall fell. To combat the peacetime boredom Elwood dabbles in black market sales and heroin dealing, cooking up batches of the stuff right under the nose of clueless base commander Ed Harris. When Elwood and his cronies stumble upon a truckload of weapons, they become determined to make one big score and set themselves up for life. Matters become complicated when Elwood falls for the daughter (Anna Paquin) of the new top sergeant (Scott Glenn) who is determined to bring Elwood and his buddies down. There aren't too many surprises in the script and much of what takes place is fairly predictable. Phoenix is uncharismatic and flat, Harris is woefully miscast, & Paquin is boring and expressionless. Glenn's is the only interesting performance - but, then, he seems born to play roles like this and could probably do it in his sleep. The script makes some interesting observations about military life during peacetime and the fact that the screenwriters were willing to reveal a seamier side warrants a 6.

Swimming Pool is a difficult film to pigeonhole into any one genre'. It is at once a mystery, foreign drama, romance & independent character study. It appears to be very calm and serene, but there is a great deal going on beneath the surface. Rampling & Sagnier play characters who are polar opposites and yet, somehow, they find enough common ground to pledge their allegiance to one another in unusual ways. The lead performances are excellent, especially that of Rampling who delivers a subtle and nuanced interpretation of her character. Those with delicate sensibilities shoul be aware that the film contains pervasive nudity, including full frontal male (from a distance) and female (not so distant). Those who enjoy films with well-written characters, a bit of mystery, and a nifty little plot twist in the end should dive right in to Swimming Pool - the water's fine!