So sad, so relieving for characters..

Rating: 10/10 (1 January 2016)

I was watching this movie for the first time with my parents on a school night. Honestly, we usually don't watch films at night but it had started at 8 o'clock on Encore (y'know, the premium channel?) and was supposed to end at around 10:20 or so, so it wasn't a big deal. My mom told me I would like it but I was kind of unsure at first because it took place in the past and I thought it was going to be boring. Oh, how wrong I was.
I never really thought Brad Pitt was THAT attractive as every woman I know does. I mean, I had seen Spy Game with my grandfather and he WAS pretty cute in that;) but, oh my GOSH, when he was younger... wow. And the long hair... I don't even mind it because it's long and luscious and golden and looks better than my own hair.
When the movie first opened with hardcore Tristan Ludlow (Brad Pitt) as a little kid with his 2 brothers and his father (Anthony Hopkins) living in the middle of nowhere, you just know that this movie is going to be hard to watch. And indeed, it was.
Each of the 3 boys really has a role in the family.. Samuel being the baby, Alfred being the mature, responsible one, and Tristan, the favorite, who declawed a bear at a young age.
K, so as of now, we have Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins. So, what's with the rest of the cast? Well, Aiden Quinn plays Alfred Ludlow, and if you don't know who he is, shame on you, and go watch Benny and Joon right now. The baby brother, Samuel, is played by Henry Thomas all grown up from the time he played Elliott in E.T. :'( Julia Ormond is the common lady in the film who honestly gets really irritating because she can't make up her mind and whatever.
Samuel Ludlow comes home from school, I think? And when he does this, he brings home a GIRL, Susannah (Julia Ormond), whom he's destined to marry. By the end of the first 15 minutes, you're in love with all of the characters.
Samuel, then, decides to go to war, and Alfred and Tristan are going with him to protect him, but as they're doing so, they let Samuel get away for just a moment to a point where he's gassed and cannot see. Because Alfred is injured, it's all up to Tristan to save his little brother. You hear him shouting "SAMUELLLL. SAMUEL," running through the woods trying to find his pour innocent brother. You KNOW what's going to happen, where else would the story go?
I cried. I mean, I've become a BIT of a softie lately to movies, but even my mom looked at me funny when I stifled up tears for pour Samuel and the heartbreak I knew the family would have to deal with.
Then, the story progresses, whatever, it's dramatic, sad, a bit of a love story, everyone grieves Samuel's death. It comes to a point where Tristan leaves. Just LEAVES. He can't deal with the pain, I guess. But, he's gone for like 7 years or something.
Obviously, I won't give everything away... But, it's so hard not to, because I think it's my favorite movie. No one I KNOW from school has seen it, no one from any groups or sports, either. Please understand my pain, it's such a great movie and I have no one to appreciate it with besides my family.
Most feel really bad for Tristan by the end; he's been through a lot. And I mean, a LOT. So when he goes to get revenge, you're just so excited and RELIEVED for him because it's like he took all of his anger and your own and took it out on total losers.
Overall, fantastic movie, and there are so many more surprises I DIDN'T ruin that the movie is worth watching for!!
Watch it as soon as you can! Really, it's great!!!