Review of The Killing Fields (1984) by Jose M — 21 Jun 2008

The Killing Fields stands as the finest achievement in the uneven career of Director Roland Joffe. After having a hand in some dreadful films (Super Mario Bros., Captivity, and the Scarlet Letter, it seems the Joffe has been relegated to being merely an afterthought in the current state of affairs in Hollywood.

Thankfully, he left this one spectacular film for movie lovers everywhere to enjoy, and I can adamantly say that it is a work of art. The film follows the events the preceded the emergence of the brutal Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia, in the midst of the chaos created by the United States' interventions in Vietnam, and within Cambodia itself.

Waterston plays a journalist sent by the New York Times to cover the chaos that was brewing in the country, and Haing S. Ngor portrayed his assistant, Dith Prang. I must say, that the performance given by Ngor, coupled with the amazing cinematography and direction of Joffe, made this film indelible in my mind.

It is difficult to believe that Ngor had never acted prior to his role in this film; because it was one of the most poignant and emotive roles I've ever seen anyone in. I was surprised that it was considered merely a supporting role, because a good half of the film dealt with his struggle to escape from the captivity of the Khmer Rouge.

'The Killing Fields' is a spectacular achievement, and stands as one the finest films of the 80's, and perhaps the past twenty years. Roland Joffe gave every indication that this film was the first in a long line of great films he would direct.

That however, never came to pass, for he failed to replicate the immense talent he showed in this film.