Serious, interesting movie all the way through!

Rating: 8/10 (19 July 2012)

I was drawn to see the DVD seeing that Christian Bale was starring in it, but had never even heard of it before. After watching it, I am thinking it should be in the Academy awards top movies category. It follows a very creative storyline of an American mortician finding himself in the position of defending the safety of a group of Chinese schoolgirls in a convent as China is being invaded by Japan. Adding to the improbability, a group of prostitutes seek to take haven in the convent and this is where the storyline proceeds. A contrast of lives of innocence versus lives which have been tainted by exploitation, a jaded man who mocks the church at the onset finds himself in the position of protecting the lives and the honor of the young girls and becoming the father figure and man of virtue himself as he leads them to safety, the atrocities of war in contrast with the humanity of soldiers trying to save lives as their duties are to destroy them. These are a few complexities of the movie. It shows the atrocities of war and the innocence and destruction of those who are caught in circumstances beyond their control. This movie reminds us of the evils of war and the common humanity, desires and emotions that we all share. It was interesting to watch throughout the entire movie. While perhaps, not "entertaining" in the sense that it left you with a happy feeling at the end, it was memorable in the sense that it captured the seriousness and importance of war and it's effects on us all, whatever our roles in life may be. I recommend it for viewing for adults, although it may not be appropriate for young children to view due to the violence and serious subject matter.