Good, but restrained

Rating: 7/10 (7 June 2006)

I just saw this movie. The first thing I had to get over was that I instantly recognized Christian Bale as the lead child. Ordinarily I wouldn't have to "get over" that, but since I have seen him in the magnificent American Pysco, it was hard to forget that he played that and he was just an innocent child.
Once I got over that, I felt the movie was relatively good. It didn't have the brutality the Japanese most assuredly had for the English while they were in the camp. In fact, there was almost an aversion to showing any brutality from the oppressor. It was a little disappointing.
However, it was incredibly interesting to see how my in-laws could have had it if they hadn't gotten out of there when they did. I did have an emotionally moment when he sees his parents - it was awful. I couldn't imagine. The parents were kind of stale, but Bale rose to the occasion. He has a strong future!