Review of The Thin Red Line (1998) by Elizabeth S — 26 Aug 2011

My current favorite, a real treat for anyone with a brain and a soul.

This film is not a war movie. I watch this, and see how human beings, from different views of life, deal with the insanity that is war. Each and every one has a clear purpose or reason for being where they are. It's difficult to express, in truth, the feeling conveyed during and after this movie. The idea of connection and relation one can have between all people is stunning. Very moving are the moments Witt's narrations take over; as one seems to view enlightenment and "beauty" or "understanding" even so savage and pointless a thing as war.

Just as powerful is the scene where Cusack stands up to Nolte, refusing to commit his men to obvious slaughter. And though Nolte is easy to look upon as a certain antagonist, I still find cause to view his perspective and goals as another human being that could have those very same thoughts. Again, the enemy here is war itself, basic human nature seeming at odds with it in the form of the native tribespeople, whom appear from time to time.

The only weak point of the film is the 10-20 minutes before the final scene in the river. We see the counterattack (attack?) on Henderson airfield as a sort of pseudo-dream. While this fits in with the film, and keeps the dosage of philosophy to a more controllable bit, I do think a little bit more attention COULD have been brought to this. This is definitive nit-picking, and I see no reason to go through with it on the rest of the film.

A thinking movie, to be experienced, not merely "watched.".

Those who walk in and out not taking something more away have missed the point, and should consider movies of a lesser grade for regular viewing. Will not even mention commentary-comedy.