Too Spiritual for its own good

Rating: 2/10 (28 December 1998)

I Got to see THIN RED LINE in one of the best theaters in the country this week (MANN VILLAGE in WESTWOOD, CA). I was disappointed beyond belief. I am a war film fanatic, and the lack of closure and means to an end bothered me. Even the often `too spiritual' Apocalypse Now had closure.
Malick's Thin Red line is a spiritual journey. Seen though the eyes of more protagonists than water drops in a lawn sprinkler. More symbolism that Pleasantville and more animal shots than the Discovery Channel. The StediCAM war scenes were interesting but lack of establishing shots made it difficult to figure out what was going on...if that was Malick's plan ,he succeeded. Some spiritual tales work , most recently In Gods Hands, but that was only because it had a beginning a middle and an end. And one protagonist that the viewer could hang on to for guidance. Malick's long emotionless stares that allow the audience to insert his or her own emotions. Half the audience says HUH? while the other half says AH! But it doesn't allow the story to move on. The spiritual journeys need to be left to the Independent film arena. That Arena allows for the cream to rise to the topand receive recognition and wide release at a later date. So was there any good in the film?...yes....acting and cinematography. But who were the primary and who were the supporting actorsonly the screenwriter could tell you. As one of my friends put it `this probably would have been good if we were high.' While Saving Private Ryan gets to join the list of the greatest War films of all time including PATTON,THE LONGEST DAY, and Platoon..The 1998 version of The Thin Red Line falls near the bottom. Suggestion: See the Keir Dullea/Jack Warden version of the filmyou will feel better. And not cheated. And for you IMDB freaksfind the link between `The Longest Day' and Malick. And somebody tell Steven to release SPR on DVD and Laserit deserves it. Bye for now