Another story I did not know about before watching the movie. Louis Zamperini is my kind of people. Strong, committed, engaged, resilient and uncompromising. Values and loyalties are worth the price to pay, even if such price is death. My kind of people!
James Blunt’s song, “No bravery” just came to mind. Blunt too has served as a soldier. I know I’m digressing here but I am sure I will find why, once I read the lyrics again.
“There are children standing here,
Arms outstretched into the sky,
Tears drying on their face.
He has been here.
Brothers lie in shallow graves.
Fathers lost without a trace.
A nation blind to their disgrace,
Since he’s been here.
And I see no bravery,
No bravery in your eyes anymore.
Only sadness.”
That made sense; at least to me!
The movie is absolutely great if not because I felt it a bit too long, especially the scenes at the sea. But I guess that lassitude is necessary to make us understand the excruciating pain of time when its not playing in our favor. Angelina’s direction is flawless and compassionate even at the most violent scenes. Although the cast was unknown to me, each one of them excelled at portraying the agony of imprisonment.
Some have criticized that instead of spending so much time dwelling with the experiences of the prisoners while in captivity, the script could have invested some time in showcasing what was being done to rescue them or how did the families felt while their sons were missing in action. Very American, these type of comments. America the Great, in fact. I guess America cannot handle feeling impotent!
I am glad the movie only focused at length and in detail on such perils.