Poetic and painful

Rating: 10/10 (23 May 2004)

Films like this shouldn't be taken for granted.And Iam afraid too many have done that already.But that just can't be helped in today's shallow and superficial world of cinema.Terrence Malick's third and comeback picture is a masterpiece in itself.It contains some of the most poetic and poignant scenes ever seen in the history of cinema.The performances are all equally good,specially Penn,Caviezel,Chaplin,Koteas and Brody's.This movie served as a springboard for James Caviezel and it fully displays what he is capable of as actor.His scenes are very emotional and expressionistic,like Richard Burton himself or even Brando came back to do their best.
I won't waste too many lines on describing this movie.It is best to try and experience it on your own and then look for answers and try to understand it fully.I haven't yet managed to do the last bit.It only shows the genius and brilliance of Malick's films.I have seen "Badlands" recently and there I found the same haunting and beautiful expression,complemented with the incredible landscape.The landscapes add tremendously lot to the artistic feel of the film.Specially the scene where the soldiers march through the fields where nothing but an overwhelming silence meets them.Just that moment expressed the whole feeling of being in a war.The fear is very monumental both in this film and "Badlands".Fear of not making it and the struggle for survival are ever-present.
The film also shows the ambiguous face of the war and men who stand behind it,generals and commanders.Captain James "Bugger" Staros in Elias Koteas' incarnation portrays a typical disillusioned under-officer who has to take orders and carry them out no matter how unreasonable they sound.It all becomes too much for him and he bails out,losing some respect from the men in his command along the way,notably from Sgt.Welsh(Penn).John Cusack portrays the heroic and young Captain Gaff who,after carrying out his orders successfully and is deemed a hero by Colonel Tall(Nolte),realizes just what kind of man his superior officer is.He is the idealist as opposed to Staros' disillusioned and more experienced character.This is also another great angle that the film offers.Its only a shame Cusack didn't have more screen time,but thats a common sickness and in my opinion the only possible downside here.
As I said,wonderful acting,wonderful landscapes and photography,music couldn't be better(Hans Zimmer never fails) and the poignant message altogether-make this a truly majestic work.This film deserves a 10 from me.