Review of Empire of the Sun (1987) by Gg J — 01 Jun 2009
Everything that The Color Purple was trying to be, but couldn't. Spielberg manages to successfully weave the magic he weaved in his previous films with the seriousness that he tried to pull off before, but only partially succeeded.
The whole thing works from beginning to end, and Christian Bale shows us at the young age he is here that he'd grow into an actor of excellent proportions. Who'd have thought that this bratty British kid would grow up to play Patrick Bateman? Or The God Damn Batman?
Anyway, Spielberg's attempt at a serious drama works excellently, with the same amount of production design and great acting that really drops you into the setting, and makes you really believe that they filmed in Shanghai (they really did) in 1941 (they did not).
Works best as a companion piece to The Color Purple, especially when you compare and contrast Spielberg's uncomfortableness with serious material in that film with his comfort with it in this one.
Should have also won Oscars.
This review of Empire of the Sun (1987) was written by Gg J on 01 Jun 2009.
Empire of the Sun has generally received very positive reviews.
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