6.5/10

Rating: 6/10 (30 January 2015)

The expectations I had going in weren't really anything special, because of that "Unbroken" did partly surprise me, but all in all I what I was expecting going in was more or less what I had when I left the theater.
I want to start by addressing a thing that has bothered me for quite some time and that this movie finally convinced me to right down. I am fu**ing sick and tired of true story movies that manage to gain emotional punch only by ending the movie with real life pictures and closing sentences. It really frustrates me when they do so and madly manipulate me, whilst they aren't giving quality character empathy where they should. "Unbroken" fits right into this category since its main and core weakness is the absence of emotional connection throughout. You really do care for Louie in parts, but for the majority of the duration the only reasons you are given to care for him are badly handled clichés or torture porn. Which brings me to my next point. I am the only one who actually felt this was torture porn? I understand the necessity to feel the stress Louie went through and boy do I feel devastated by only thinking of it, but conveying it in a movie is a whole other thing and showing an hour to an hour and a half of torture certainly isn't the right way. Which again, brings me to my other point: this film in no way whatsoever manages to justify its length and instead makes it even more heavy to get through. Wiliam Goldberg might be my favourite editor in the business right now, but this isn't in no way great work from him, obviously the technicality of the editing is brilliant as always but the pace is so off putting.
I have heard many blame Jolie for poor direction and whilst this isn't exactly a brilliant directing piece, it certainly isn't a weak one, on the contrary there are moments where the vision really shines, I really want to see more from her, because her passion really came through despite some weaknesses. She is obviously helped by the gorgeous cinematography by the great Roger Deakins. I point my finger towards the script, being the main weakness of the film for my money. Yet, talking more about strengths the movie certainly has some: performances across the board are remarkable, with the only exception of the Japanese officer maybe, who had his moments, but also became the weak link in others. Moreover, the first hour or so of "Unbroken" is very, very good and promised me a movie that I unfortunately failed to get.
I did have a positive experience with the film, which gives a remarkable portrayal of this true story, but all in all, as I am thinking back towards it, I do find many flaws with it and think I won't really remember the movie itself as much as the incredible story.