Review of Slaughterhouse-Five (1972) by Brenda S — 28 Mar 2007

RATING (0 to ****): ***1/2.

One of the more strange films I've seen as of late, I have not read Vonnegut's original novel- though he has expressed satisfaction of this 1972 film adaptation.

With his narrative style that destroys chronological order, we jump back-and-forth in time between our main character Pilgrim's modern-day life, and as a POW about to witness the bombing of Dresden. You know films like "Intolerance" and "21 Grams", and how differing events are connected by an action, like the act of washing one's hands? This is taken one step further, as the story's jumps in time are motivated by Pilgrim's own time-traveling- leaving him into some strange situations, like a simple "I love you" originally directed towards his wife, but instead catches the attention of a fellow soldier. Needless to say, he isn't too pleased.

Despite the time-traveling aspect, this doesn't feel like a sci-fi film. In fact, it's one of the more powerful war films we've had, and I was frozen stiff in my seat. Unlike most modern war films, though, the power of "Slaughterhouse-Five" isn't through the use of graphic images- instead, the power is psychological.

Then comes the third act, which introduces an alien abduction... and that changes everything. Stick with it, though- all will be explained, and you won't hate the film and Vonnegut for being random. Needless to say, it quickly becomes a sci-fi comedy with some war intercuts, but now they're stuck within this new genre. If you're lucky, you won't even care as you'll be too busy laughing at its weirdness.

Especially the ending. Bet you didn't see that one coming!

MPAA: R (language, disturbing violent content, and some sexuality/nudity).

Runtime: 1 hour, 44 minutes (103 minutes of "real movie").

[center][u][b]Can I get a second opinion?[/b][/u].

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Not in review form, but the class I was watching this with had the general reaction of "...and that's supposed to make sense.".