We’ve entered a moderately interesting period in our nation’s history where we have to be careful in how we address topics unique to our nation’s military. While in the past it was easy to create propaganda melodramas or stern morality plays, today’s audiences call for more sophisticated stories that address themes such as survival, the harsh questions of morality and sanity both inside and outside the war zone, as well as showing that those we face in combat do not speak for the whole of a nation.
Review Score: 4/5
These are the themes I saw in “Lone Survivor,” which is based on a firsthand account of an operation in Afghanistan that cost the lives of 19 soldiers, and documents how the author Marcus Luttrell, played by Mark Wahlberg, survived the event.
While this film isn’t as grim as “All Quiet on the Western Front,” it does present things as realistically and even-handedly as possible, while still attempting to tell a cohesive story. We spend a little bit of time getting to know the various characters, which helps us understand the impact the losses had on the main character.
I praise the intensity and realism of this film, but there was something a tad off about it. It felt like the kind of film that changed its artistic direction at some point during production, or at the very least, post-production. I say this because we’re given details at the end that were not clearly communicated in the film proper. Also, the dedication to the fallen soldiers felt more like something you would’ve seen in a documentary instead of a narrative feature film.
The only remaining praiseworthy topic would have to be Wahlberg’s performance.
While he didn’t really disappear into the role, at the very least, he gave a very realistic performance. It’s definitely one of the better performances he’s given in recent history.
Set in Afghanistan, the film does the job of telling a realistic story that doesn’t try to demonize the Afghani people, nor does it try to glorify the exploits of the military. It does feel like it lost its focus as it was being made, but it’s a movie worth checking out if you’re looking for something covering more recent conflicts.
While they did a limited release last year to qualify for the Oscars, “Lone Survivor” doesn’t really have a strong chance for this awards season. Much like the camouflage worn by the SEALs, this film blends in among the other contenders a little too well.
“Lone Survivor” gets a 4/5.
