This film lacks integrity.

Rating: 5/10 (24 July 2013)

I feel compelled to review through a frustrated admiration for this film and the undoubted quality of Denzel Washington which is ultimately chastised by a conservative American moral-centrepoint. I loved this film, shed a tear, bellowed laughter at John Goodman and his impeccable timing, sat back in child-like admiration of the story-telling behind what I thought to be gem. Then came the ending.
6 Dead out of a potential 104. It takes a particularly tasteful speech from a cancer patient to reveal his part in the heroism and even then his modesty is almost painful. And I have to watch in hopelessness and despairing as he is emasculated by an investigation panel and stripped of all heroism, much to my horror, he readily accepts the blame and embraces it, seen when he addresses the prison crowd. This is how the film ends, a hero made pitiful and faceless by the very people who he saves. I feel that I have been misled by this film and I think that it is a true example of the Americanization that ultimately steals from my affections and misdirects beautiful performances. A film I will love to hate