An Ordeal of Human Endurance

Rating: 8/10 (11 December 2014)

Director Angelina Jolie's homage to the plight of imprisoned World War II servicemen in Japan focuses on the true-life experience of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic athlete from California. Though we've seen countless, horrific cinematic depictions over the years of how prisoners of war are terribly abused, Unbroken still has a lot going for it. Strong performances all around, added to a compelling story and flawless technical achievement in the art of filmmaking make Unbroken deeply disturbing yet ultimately uplifting and inspirational. One of the things this film rightfully drives home is that "war is hell." It's an old expression, but it continues to ring true to this day. And perhaps, as this film reminds us, we should never forget that the price of war is always devastation and depravity before victory.