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In "We Were Soldiers", director Randall Wallace offers a
non-political take with the true story of the war's first ground battle,
in 1965. Barely registering ambiguous politics or social betrayals,
the film favours basic guts and heroism over a complicated tale. Lt
Col Hal Moore (Gibson), the paternal leader of the 7th Cavalry, enters
The Valley of Death with his troops, only to be outnumbered ten-to-one
in the resulting three-day battle.
Brimming
with nobility, can "We Were Soldiers" ease a nation's
pain? Not likely. However, Wallace has crafted a reverent tribute
to loyal soldiers not yet jaded by cynicism and home-bound indifference.
As a result, he discards Vietnam's more dramatic and resonant elements
to leave the horrific battle sequences - every death mournfully
framed in slow-mo, and the military's familial nature played out
in many tearily optimistic moments.
This
approach is mostly effective - particularly the even-handed portrayal
of the Vietnamese, similarly patriotic and efficient soldiers. Meanwhile,
the war at home is handled by Moore's wife (Stowe), who takes on
the sombre duty of delivering Death Notices to platoon wives.
Gibson
is a perfect vessel for the script's dewy-eyed patriotism, and the
odd "Braveheart" moment is dutifully recycled in a strong
performance. Sam Elliott is superb as the gruff Sarge, with other
able supporting turns from Kinnear, Pepper, and Klein. But all are
eclipsed by the thumping cry of tragedy.
It's
unlikley you'll learn anything new about the war, but Wallace's
emotional message and refreshingly non-demonised enemy make an effective
tribute.
"We
Were Soldiers" is released in UK cinemas on Friday 8th March
2002.
Reviewed
by , 大象传媒 Films
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