Review of Salvador (1986) by Simon C — 22 Aug 2007
Oliver Stone's greatest movie. James Woods is superb as journalist Richard Boyle, a self confessed "weasel" opportunistically making money by covering political unrest in El Salvador in 1980.
As the films title suggests though, he becomes redeemed after witnessing the effects of Reagan's interventionist policies on the country he loves. A film portraying both the most evil and heroic sides of human nature.
John Savage and James Belushi also shine as respectively a saintly photo-journalist and an out-of-his-depth disc jockey tagging along for the ride. Having seen the "making of" documentary of this film it seems that the filming was almost as close to a civil war as that portrayed in the story.
Oliver Stone's direction creates a sense of tension in almost every scene - he would use his kinetic camera work to more sensationalist ends in later films but on the grounds of this film he's a coked up genius.
Despite the heavy subject matter - a trip to the dump site for the bodies of the "disappeared" is particularly bleak, as is a very nasty rape scene - there are flashes of sardonic humour too for example Woods as Richard Boyle taking his first confession in 33 years and Belushi as Dr.
Rock trying to order drinks in Spanish and telling the barmaid he'll pay her in two menstrual cycles. Overall essential viewing.
This review of Salvador (1986) was written by Simon C on 22 Aug 2007.
Salvador has generally received positive reviews.
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