Best film of 1998

Rating: 10/10 (5 April 1999)

Most all that can be said about this film has been said. I won't argue with "Saving Private Ryan" naysayers, because in a sense I see some of the points they try to make. Personally, it is one of the most powerful experiences I've had at a motion picture.
I think it's important to point out that, though we've seen some scenes from the middle done before in other war movies, that doesn't make them in any way conventional or hackneyed. The film's much-heralded opening scene of the landing at Normandy provides color and mood for all scenes that follow. One very nearly may not have enough emotional resources left to endure the final battle scene, but Spielberg is not beating us over the head.
In 1987, my mother made me sit through the harrowing TV holocaust drama "Escape From Sobibor", for which I was resentful then but grateful now. In the early days of film, audiences literally ducked out of the way, reacting to a shot of a speeding locomotive. I mention these two things because I want to communicate why we go to movies to begin with. One reason is to witness the horrific events of our past, in hopes that we can prevent them from happening again. The other--and this can only be done if the movie makers are skilled enough (and Spielberg clearly is) is to convince us of the authenticity of a time and place.
We go to the trouble of going to the movie theatre for a reason. We hope we are going to be glad we went. When the lights go down, our muscles tighten in anticipation. I was happy to have seen "Saving Private Ryan".