Tag Archives: Ed Zwick

Defiance (2008)

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Director: Edward Zwick

Cast: Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber, Jamie Bell, Alexa Davalos, Mia Wasikowska

Synopsis: During World War II, Belarussian Jews are hunted down by German patrols.   A group of brothers, the Bielskis, hide in the forest, protecting a large band of their Jewish kin from 1941 until the war’s end.   This film depicts their true story.

A review by Film Nerd.

Upon the realisation that there are still untold stories like this from World War II, it almost seems ridiculous that fictional films are still being made about the period.   That is not to deny the power and impact of many of these fictional WWII films, however with true stories like this left in oblivion, it is a crime they are not being told.

What these men achieved is beyond belief.   Tuvia (Craig), Zus (Schreiber) and Asael Bielski (Bell) never set out to be heroes, their only goal was survival.   The fact that they managed to do so under the circumstances they were in is incredible enough.   Hidden in the forest, food scarce, and constantly being hunted, they somehow managed to remain ahead of their pursuers.   But they also were unwilling to see fellow Jews suffer, and so they led a band of 1200 Jewish men women and children.   They made camps, established defences, and survived.

Once again, the parallels with Glory, The Last Samurai, and Blood Diamond are obvious, tracking the fate of a marginalised people in a war-torn nation.   However, it remains different to all of these films.   Even though there is yet another scene depicting training in fire-arms, it remains fresh in comparison to those Zwick has directed before.   The general tone of the film is different too.   These people were not trained to fight, they were no soldiers, separating it from both Glory and Samurai.   It also lacks the darkness of Blood Diamond, the take home message being one of inspiration and hope as opposed to shame and despair.

The performances are each and every one of them brilliant.    Craig has alway been a true chameleon long before his association with 007, and that talent is once again on show here.   Schreiber I have rarely seen give anything less than a top performance, also being one of the better elements of X-men Origins: Wolverine, which was released the same year.   Jamie Bell in the past I have found hit and miss, but here he convincingly traverses a character arc from naiveté through to a silent but undeniable strength.

If the film does have a flaw, it is in pacing.    Sometimes scenes of building camp and debating the next course of action can get a little tedious.   Also, when some of these decisions are made, they do not sit comfortably with the viewer.   That said, it is entirely feasible that each of these moments would genuinely portray the hardships being experienced by these survivors.   So, though it may detract from the point of view of narrative at times, it does lend a realism to the setting.

This however is the type of film I keep returning to Zwick to see more of.   It had a limited release in Australia at cinemas, so it would not be surprising if much of the Australian public missed out on this one.   Hunt it down on DVD though, you will be glad you did.

4 stars (out of a possible 5)

Defiance on IMDB

Defiance on Rotten Tomatoes

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Blood Diamond (2006)

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Director: Edward Zwick

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, Jennifer Connelly

Synopsis: A fictional story based in the very real conflict resulting from the diamond trade in Africa.   Smugglers resort to any means to obtain the diamonds and sell them to the diamond markets in Western civilisation.   The people are at the whim of tyrants and dictators.   This tale follows three characters.    Solomon Vardy (Hounsou) is an African man whose family is torn apart by the conflict, until he finds a large rare diamond which he hopes to use as a bargaining chip to reunite with his wife and children.   Danny Archer (DiCaprio) is a weapons smuggler looking to escape the continent, and considers Vardy’s diamond as his ticket out.   Finally, Maddy Bowen (Connelly) is a journalist covering the conflict whose path intersects that of the other two men.

A review by Film Nerd.

This film is a class act, bearing a message that is a bitter pill to swallow.   How would you feel paying top dollar for an engagement ring rock knowing that this small piece of jewellery cost many African people, including women and children their lives??   But the simple fact is that as little as 10 years ago, any diamond you bought could indeed have been at that price.   African “Conflict” or “Blood” diamonds were not distinguished from diamonds obtained by more honest means, and only by revealing the travesties occurring in Africa to the global power was a stop put to this trade.

This film highlights the devastation this conflict caused for everyone involved.   We follow Solomon Vardy as he is removed from his family to mine diamonds, while his son is indoctrinated into the army of an invading warlord.    He discovered an exceptionally large pink diamond, and manages to barely escape with it with his life.    Hounsou is a brilliant actor in any setting (I really should write a review for the film In America, which first brought my attention to him).    He is practical, and focussed on his goal, but the sheer pain of the journey is truly disturbing, and it really should not be anything else.   DiCaprio’s Archer is also a jewel of a role, a seemingly self-preserving cad ready to betray Vardy in an instant if it gets him out of Africa…. at least at first.   Occasionally his Afrikaans accent does slip, but that is forgivable given that most of the time he nails it, and admittedly it would be one of the harder accents to learn.   By comparison to these two, Connelly’s Maddy Bowen lacks a bit of power, but she doesn’t need it.   She bring a conscience to these proceedings, showing an indignation at these atrocities that you would hope the rest of the developed world would reciprocate.

This is a hard review to write.   anyone who follows my other reviews may detect a sense of humour throughout.   But the simple fact is there can be no humour about a subject like this.   As such, it can make for difficult viewing.   But if you are interested in cinema as not just a method of escapism, and can accept it as a vehicle to enlighten you on dark chapters of human history that should not be forgotten, this is a must watch film.   It will certainly have you considering any major purchase you make with greater depth, knowing it can bear a greater cost than the lightness of your wallet.

5 stars (out of a possible 5)

Blood Diamond on IMDB

Blood Diamond on Rotten Tomatoes

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The Last Samurai (2003)

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Director: Edward Zwick

Cast: Tom Cruise, Ken Watanabe, Billy Connolly, Timothy Spall

Synopsis: Cruise plays the fictional character of Nathan Algren, a former American soldier haunted by memories of atrocities he was ordered to commit when fighting against Native Americans.   He is hired to train the new Japanese military arm, which seeks to eradicate a rebel Samurai clan which resists the modernisation of the nation.   When Algren is taken prisoner by the Samurai, he gains insights into a rich and beautiful culture, which may even offer him a chance at redemption.

A review by Film Nerd.

In many ways, this film is a master stroke.   Zwick has found another fascinating story to tell, even if it is only loosely based on history (some of the events depicted in truth actually occurred over the course of a number of generations).   Like the classic film Kurosawa film The Seven Samurai, it features many different personality types within the culture united by a sense of honour.   Like Glory, it provides insight into a maligned culture which is in reality much more beautiful than that of its more civilised neighbours.   However, perhaps by comparison to both these films, in the end it seems to fall a little short.

Unfortunately, part of that is down to Cruise’s performance.   Top a modern audience, this may seem no surprise, but given that Cruise can show some great skill when paired with a good director, it is a curiosity that he and Zwick did not mesh more.   A great pity, as Watanabe was a true revelation in this film.   His character Katsumoto is the chief Samurai, and lives and dies by his code of conduct.   He still retains a sense of humour, and can be quite whimsical, giving the character true charisma.   It is easy to understand that his samurai are not only bound by honour to defend the Japanese way of life that they love, but that they would also follow Katsumoto to whatever end.

Perhaps another failing is the previous comparison I made to Glory.   The  stories are very similar, and at times it feels Zwick is repeating himself, no time more so than in a fire-arms training sequence, where some dialogue was even repeated from the earlier film.

These mis-steps aside though, the Samurai are treated with a great deal of respect, and if there is a true star of this film it is the depiction of their way of life away from battle.   They may live by a warrior code, but it extends way beyond this.   It focuses on how honour determines their actions.   It emphasises the strength of the bond of family.   Even Cruise’s hamming is overshadowed by the family with which he stays… the family of a man whom he himself killed in combat.   The conflict they experience caring for a man who caused them so much pain is handled with delicacy and heart, and it is moments like these where it escapes the Glory parallels that it really shines.

If you are somebody so over Tom Cruise and you cannot separate his acting from the couch jumper on Oprah, I would advise you avoid this.   But for anyone else, walk in knowing that there are flaws, but that the plotting and the characterisation of this film still make it well worthy of a viewing.

3.5 stars (out of a possible 5)

The Last Samurai on IMDB

The Last Samurai on Rotten Tomatoes

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Glory (1989)

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Director: Edward Zwick

Cast: Matthew Broderick, Morgan Freeman, Cary Elwes, Denzel Washington, Jihmi Kennedy, Andre Braugher, Bob Gunton

Synopsis: This film represents the true story of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw (Broderick), commander of the first regiment of “colored soldiers” during the American civil war.   Despite his rank, he is fighting the inexperience of his youth, as well as the trauma from what he has already seen on the battlefield.   As such, he remains distant and aloof from his men, but through them he learns his own strength.

A review by Film Nerd.

Perhaps reviewing the Zwick films in the order that I saw them may prove an injustice, as for me this is the absolute best of his films.   As such, subsequent reviews, through generally good, will not be quite as glowing as this one.   It has that perfect combination of a talented director, pitch perfect cast, and bringing to light a story well worth being told and perpetuated.

It is an interesting plot device that throughout Broderick is narrating from Shaw’s own letters home to his family.   It gives a depth to the performance that indicates that despite artistic license, Shaw’s own character arc clearly follows that which is observed on-screen.   It also reflects the fact that the speech used by Broderick in the role does reflect Shaw’s own writing style.   It may be a surprise to see Ferris Bueller himself, eternally young, in this role, but it is clear that Shaw was a young commander, making the casting appropriate, and Broderick infuses it with just the right level of vulnerability.

This is more than Shaw’s story, however.   It is also about the bravery and the internal conflicts of a down-trodden society.   We follow the exploits of four soldiers specifically, observing how different background respond to the conflict.   First there is young Jupiter Sharts (Kennedy), full of youthful optimism and naivety.    Then there is Thomas Searles (Braugher), who grew up an educated servant of Shaw’s family, a background that separates him from his colleagues.   Morgan Freeman, always a powerful on-screen presence, represents and older perspective as Sergent Rawlins, with a clear serenity developed through years of dealing with hardship.   For this company though, the most powerful performance belongs to Washington as Private Trip.   He is a young man full of anger, ready to lash out at his colleagues and his oppressors alike.   He does not respond well to authority, becoming a thorn in Shaw’s side   But his skill and drive are clear, and this is a Best Supporting Actor Oscar-winning performance well deserving of such accolades.

There are a few flaws, in pacing, and sometimes the tone does seem to jar with the events at hand.   These are minor criticisms though, given the wealth of great story and great performances on display here.   This is an absolute must see film.

5 stars (out of a possible 5)

Glory on IMDB

Glory on Rotten Tomatoes

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Courage Under Fire (1996)

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Director: Edward Zwick

Cast: Denzel Washington, Meg Ryan, Lou Diamond Phillips, Matt Damon

Synopsis: Nat Sterling (Washington) is a Gulf War veteran who is assigned to investigate applications for the recipients of the Medal of Honour.   His assignment however is a political hotbed given that he is looking into the story of Captain Karen Walden (Ryan), the first woman to be nominated for the honour, who was killed in combat protecting her chopper crew.   While on the case, Sterling faces his own demons as a result of his own actions in the war.

A review by Film Nerd.

This film, unlike a lot of Zwick films, is not specifically covering a certain event in history.   However, it is a very powerful fictional story about personality conflict, and how people respond under a great deal of pressure.   To say much more than I have already listed in the synopsis is difficult, given it covers a mystery of many layers.   What appears at first to be an open and shut case of bravery enters some very grey areas.   It is by no means an uplifting film, but it is certainly one to make you reflect.

The mystery is the key to this film, and unfortunately it does get quite complex.   There is a very Rashomon element to it, with the same story being told from a number of different perspectives, each time telling an entirely different truth.   As such, a great deal of focus is required throughout.   Don’t be concerned if you lose the thread though.   I did on my first viewing, and yet the impact of the truth when it is finally revealed resonates.   Indeed, this was the first Zwick film I ever saw, and it was the impetus for me to seek out his filmography, particularly is other collaboration with Washington (Glory, to be reviewed tomorrow).

This is not a film of many likeable characters.  Even our protagonist is fraying at the edges, slipping into alcohol, neglecting his family, unable to forget that his actions resulted in the death of his best friend in a war zone.   The performances however are powerful, and keep you watching.   This was made in a period where every performance from Washington was pure gold.   The bit players are also great.   Phillips in his film roles can be hit and miss, but here he is paired with a director that makes his performance memorable.   Also, though not the first major role for Damon (he had already appeared with Brendan Fraser in School Ties), it was a film which confirmed his talent and aided him to greater things.   The true stand out is Meg Ryan.   She truly plays against type as the cussing, hard-boiled Captain Walden.   Before this film, I had no idea there was more to the traditional rom-com darling.

This is not a film for every audience, and the pace can be laborious at parts.  It especially doesn’t help that shifting time frames can confuse the details of the story.   But if you have the patience to ride it out, it is well worth it.   It might just start you hunting down some of the other Zwick titles.

3 stars (out of a possible 5)

Courage Under Fire on IMDB

Courage Under Fire on Rotten Tomatoes

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Edward Zwick Week

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Hello Readers,

Sorry for my absence for the last week, given Film Nerd has a new job and can’t sit in front of the screen, big or small, with the same regularity as previously.   To compensate for this, I intend to post  a number of reviews this week from one of my favourite directors, Ed Zwick.   His films specialise in telling stories from forgotten historical events.   Some of the stories it almost seems a crime they were forgotten at all, so his work highlights the efforts of some really amazing people.   Of course, there is also an element of artistic license with the facts, to make events more dramatic, or to reduce time frames, however the spirit of the story remains true to life.

So enjoy these reviews as they come along.   Hopefully it will not be too long before I can review some new releases again.   I am particularly keen to see The A-Team!!

Live Long and Prosper,

Film Nerd.