Weir's Way Back

Rating: Null/10 (2 September 2011)

Seven years since his last film, the lacklustre 'Master and Commander', Weir is back with 'The Way Back' and what a comeback it is. Granted that the actors accents feel awkward but once one moves passed all that, it becomes a harrowing tale of survival as the viewer follows these group of men's escape to freedom against all odds. Now there have been many films made on the similar theme of survival (even though not on this particular issue about the prisoners that Russia held captive during the war), but Weir's unique style of direction and the writing give it its own touch. I liked how clichés were avoided such that when you think so-and-so is going to happen, well, it doesn't. The build-up of tension and the relationship between the characters is well displayed. The landscape is beautifully captured and it juxtaposes well with the foreground reflecting how unsympathetic nature can sometimes be. The performances are first rate (once one gets over the accents). Jim Sturgess, Colin Farrell, Ed Harris, Dragos Bucur, Saoirse Ronan, Gustaf Skarsgård and Alexandru Potocean are all excellent. The film also scores high on the technical aspect, as Weir's films usually do. The cinematography, lighting, visuals and score work together effectively.
On the flip side, the final journey across the Himalayas is rushed especially considering how 'The Way Back' elaborates on the first two journeys. The Ed Harris character was also improperly developed.
It's good to see Weir back in form with 'The Way Back', a film that engages and involves and it actually kept me rooting for the characters and guessing as to what was going to happen next.