Wasted opportunity

Rating: 4/10 (13 January 2015)

Knowing the story they had, the material they had at their disposal, this movie is a disappointment. The book is a punch in your face, powerful, visceral. The movie, on the other hand, is bland, is common place, it is cliché. And to see the main characters keeping their hair intact throughout the entire movie made me very upset. It is offensive to those that had to endure the real conditions of a Japanese prison. After reading the book one can't avoid the feeling of amazement. Even doubt. How can someone survive in situations like these? How can they endure out in the sea for so many days? The movie does not give you the same feelings, not as strong anyways. I wish this was done but a more experienced director. Clint Eastwood would make this simply epic.