Love it or Hate it...

Rating: 9/10 (19 February 1999)

Terrence Mallick came out of his Kubrickesque hibernation to make this fascinating, yet flawed, war picture which is anything but conventional. People will love it or hate it, however I fall somewhere in between. It could have been great had it not been for the film's snail-like pace. It is very good because it is a meditation on war with some strong performances and it is one of the most beautifully-shot color films I have ever seen. I also admire Malllick for not ending it with an apocalyptic battle scene which seems essential in modern-day filmmaking (although the film could have contained more substance over style for the final 1/2 hour).
By now, anyone reading knows the backdrop for this WWII epic, so we'll cut to the performances, none of which stand out with the exception of the main character, who's name still escapes me, Ben Chaplin, and Nick Nolte as a crazed General. The big-name performances are basically showcases to keep a sleepy viewer awake and its reputation high. None really give to the film's 'story' or relate to the characters we even care about in the slightest way. Obviously, Mallick is well-respected within the industry and no matter what you think, I would not be surprised if it won the Oscar (really). Mallick may not tell a great story here or focus enough, but it is technically brilliant.
The movie lingers like a dream, especially because of its look. The swaying weeds and grass are reminiscent of Mallick's previous efforts, "Badlands" and "Days of Heaven". If only he was able to project more of a pulse, we would care more about the brutality of the battle scenes and the consequences of what happens in the film. Anyone can blow people up in battle pictures, but you need emotional connection with the characters for it to be effective. Again, I must say the film did effect me in some odd way because of its beauty and originality. This will undoubtedly go down as a cult classic.