Incredible biopic about Louis Zamperini (O'Connell in a star-making performance worthy of an Oscar)

Rating: 10/10 (31 December 2014)

UNBROKEN (2014) **** Jack O' Connell, Domhnall Gleeson, Garrett Hedlund, Takamasa Ishihara, Finn Wittrock, Jai Courtney, Alex Russell. Incredible biopic about Louis Zamperini (O'Connell in a star-making performance worthy of an Oscar), whose life encompassed highs (winning a medal in the 1936 Olympics for running) and lows (surviving a plane crash during WWII only to wind up a POW in a Japanese internment camp) with only his sheer will and determination to survive at all costs. Based on Laura Hillenbrand's book the adaptation by a blue-chip committee by design of Joel & Ethan Coen, Richard LaGravense and William Nicholson contains all the elements of a finely tuned drama of skill and forbearance as equal to Angelina Jolie's direction that is sure and steady. Overwhelming brutality by Zamperini's imprisoner "the Bird" (a finely sadistic POS, Ishihara) and the strength of the human spirit personified buoys a life-affirming story. One of the year's best films.