Band Of Brothers

Rating: Null/10 (29 December 2008)

After 'Schindler's List' and 'Amistad', Spielberg once again takes us to a dark path in one of his best works, 'Saving Private Ryan' (set during WWII, D-Day). He went through great lengths to make the film historically accurate. Though the movie is fiction, much of it is based on real history. At the same time, he manages to give the film a soul.
It is not just historical events, blood, gore, massacre, bomb blasts and firearms, but the viewer genuinely cares about the characters and roots for the platoon section to make it and feels sadness by the horrible death of each soldier. Alongside the director and writer, credit goes to the actors for displaying a brotherhood where these ordinary men, strangers to each other, are brought together by a very unusual circumstance. War can have a dehumanizing effect where people tend to get carried away and conflicts arise between the soldiers. We see the men get more frustrated as their hope slips away every time they think they are near to finding Ryan when reality says otherwise. But, these men cope with it and move on further.
In a particular scene when Private Reiben is about to walk away, Miller for the first time reveals his identity. His 'unknown' identity had given rise to a lot of curiosity among his soldiers but upon hearing that he was an ordinary school teacher, Reiben is able to relate to that and he stays. From then on, he sees Miller differently. Likewise with Ryan and Miller and Reiben and Ryan (in one small subtle scene).
There are two beautiful scenes: one takes place during a night, when the soldiers are chatting and they end up talking about their mothers. In this scene Wade tells his story as he slowly reveals how he wished he had spent more time with his mother. The next day his brutal death devastates the soldiers fueling their frustration while they are forced to stay in control. Another wonderful scene is when an Edith Piaf song plays on the radio. Upham translates the lyrics and this amuses the soldiers and they are drawn into the song allowing themselves a moment of calmness. It is such scenes that reveal the depth of these strong characters.
Tom Hanks arguably leads the cast as Captain Miller who is like the elder brother of the band. This is one of his most restrained performances and he is great. But, his supporting cast members that include: Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns, Barry Pepper, Adam Goldberg and especially Giovanni Ribisi are at least equally excellent. Paul Giamatti makes a strong appearance. Even Vin Diesel, whom I normally do not like, shows signs of a good actor as he impresses in a small role.
Spielberg makes remarkable use of Kaminski's cinematography, whether it is long shots, jump cuts or various angles. Kahn's editing is smooth. Williams's soundtrack fits the film. The washed out colour has a harsher and rawer effect that stresses on the brutality of the war. 'Saving Private Ryan' is not sympathetic to those viewers who prefer suggestive images because it is quite graphic and visceral.
For me it was an overwhelming experience because I was so drawn into it. Many have criticized Spielberg for heavily manipulating the viewer's emotion. Well, I prefer this kind of manipulation rather than the kind of effect melodramatic tearjerkers have on some people. 'Saving Private Ryan' is a magnificent film. It's one of the best and my favourite of its genre.