War Truth

Rating: 10/10 (27 May 2017)

War Machine is amongst that special breed of movies that defy categorisation.
At times laugh out loud funny - at others devastatingly, gut-wrenchingly tense and moving. This film takes us on an interesting journey through the mind of a 21st century US General. Maybe he genuinely believes in the hopelessly futile mission he's inherited ("winning the hearts and mind of the people"). Certainly he's portrayed as a man nearing the end of a distinguished career, ever more desperate for that decisive battle that would guarantee his name passing into US military folk-lore alongside the likes of Lee and MacArthur.
He appears to be a humanitarian, seeking to minimise civilian casualties, but this could be purely because this is one of the key planks of his driving strategy – counter insurgency. Brilliantly played by Brad Pitt, and ably supported by a motley crew of assorted military aides, the General appears to display more disdain for politicians and his US "allies" than he does for the "enemy". The only reason he appears to be so supportive of the Afghan president, another amusing portrayal by the great Ben Kingsley, is that he is a key ally in the General's counterinsurgency strategy.
Yet the General's blinkered, one-track strategy, which only the most loyal of his followers appear to support, is not the most fascinating aspect of this movie.
The most incredible thing about this must-watch, ramshackle romp through the General's tenure as the top military man in Afghanistan, is that it is based on true events.