Carolinian

Issue date: 10/24/06 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Media Credit: photo courtesy www.thesearmsaresnakes.org

Flags of Our Fathers is renowned director Clint Eastwood's tribute to the soldiers of World War II. It focuses specifically on the soldiers who were in perhaps the most famous American picture that came from WWII, that of six soldiers hoisting a U.S. flag upright on the highest point of Iwo Jima.

Eastwood takes a highly realistic take on the story, at times sacrificing enthusiasm for authenticity. Flags of Our Fathers has been done before - been done better before. It's well-made and polished, but it's not the most entertaining or involving movie. It feels long and has some significantly dry patches. But it is grippingly realistic, harrowingly authentic, and enlightening; and so few films are any of those qualities, Flags of Our Fathers is almost a mandatory recommendation. Furthermore, it's a definite must-see for war movie buffs and those interested in the true story behind that famous picture.

Clint Eastwood, the man who was "the man with no name" in the spectacular Sergio Leone spaghetti westerns of the 1960s and the director of Oscar-winning films Unforgiven and Million Dollar Baby has made another overall winner. It has a distinctive Eastwood look and feel. Flags of Our Fathers is oddly almost too realistic. I applaud the film for its realism, especially after last week's harrowingly unrealistic Man of the Year. I crave realism in film; to me it's hard for a film to be good without it. But the problem with this movie is just that some of its realism isn't overwhelmingly interesting. For example, in an effort to be as historically accurate as possible, a huge emphasis is placed on war bonds, and their vital significance to the United States' victory in the war. Hammering home the fact that the war might have had a different outcome without the famous picture and that the soldiers' campaigning back home was the main reason for the war bonds' success is well and good, but it's just not the most exhilarating cinema.

Another problem is a problem that's common in numerous war films - character development, or the lack thereof. "FOOF" actually spends more time and builds its characters with more detail than most, but still not in a way where we really get to know most of the soldiers. The acting doesn't stand out (another common factor in war films), other than a memorable turn by Adam Beach, as one of the soldiers suffering prejudice because he is a Native American. Beach not only gives a good performance, but also looks amazingly like his character, Ira Hayes (which you can see for yourself by sticking around for the film's credits).

Its bit of dryness and common war film flaws aside, Flags of Our Fathers has enough going for to make it worthwhile. The battle scenes are not quite that of Saving Private Ryan, but very well done. It looks and feels grippingly realistic. It educates you and carries some engrossing surprises for the non-history buff, and it has a powerful message that it successfully makes without being overly preachy.

It's not a war classic, but it is a good film, and a satisfying, worthy tribute to not just to the soldiers in the picture, but all of them involved in World War II.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools