Review of Rescue Dawn (2007) by Gareth B — 23 Jun 2010
Although it may play with some of the facts of Dieter Dengler's capture and imprisonment by the Viet Cong rather too much (such as making fellow captive Gene DeBruin a coward when he probably wasn't), this is for the most part a moving and dramatic story of holding onto hope long enough in order to stay alive.
Christian Bale is surprisingly rather excellent as Dieter, a US Air Force pilot who gets shot down over Laos during the Vietnam War, and is captured by the Pathet Lao. He manages to noticably get thinner and more gaunt as the film progresses, to reflect his time in incarceration (which was achieved by shooting the film in reverse order).
Most of the secondary characters feel nicely developed, notably Dieter's friend Duane Martin, and the acting across the cast is near perfect. Rescue Dawn feels like a war film from the 1970's, and although the finale is very Hollywood, it's emotional core is clear, in managing to convey a stark sense of hungry, longing and hopelessness.
This review of Rescue Dawn (2007) was written by Gareth B on 23 Jun 2010.
Rescue Dawn has generally received positive reviews.
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