Review of The Mission (1986) by Charles M — 04 Jun 2008

A grand, worthy, but overblown David Leanesque historical epic concerning a real episode in early colonial South America, between the Portuguese government and Jesuits who found a civilising mission for the natives.

And rather in the Leanesque mode, you get carried along by the emotion manufactured by the spectacular movie-making, big performances and top-notch score, and then when you come down, you realise that the film is a little arty and even specious. In other words, it's been a great ride, but what have you really learned?

But Lean can take you on a ride, and it seems worth it. So can Joffe, to an extent, but it is more a case of apprentice and master. Also, extending the parrallel to Lean, it seems to me that some actors thrive better under this grand, worthy mode of filmmaking than others. De Niro pulls out a big performance the way only he and Pacino can; but I think Irons, a minimalist, internalised actor, really suffers.