The only film I consider poetry

Rating: 10/10 (23 September 2000)

More than just a war movie, The Thin Red Line addresses the fundamental question of how a world so beautiful can be so cruel. Unlike Spielberg in Saving Private Ryan, Malick does not provide answers, but instead shows how different men in a company face the jarring reality of war. Malick artfully brings to life each character (unfortunately some of the star power in the film distracts from the personal and ordinary lives of the soldiers). Each one has his own problems, but all are subsumed under the reality of being in the war. Also this movie does not dwell in the orgy of violence that Spielberg indulged in. Instead it achieves greater emotional impact in showing the absolute beauty of the tropical paradise where the violence occurs (note: The Thin Red Line would be one of the most violent war movies ever if Saving Private Ryan hadn't raised the bar so high). Malick has created an absolute masterpiece, an emotional and interesting story that creates questions, not answers them.