I thought that I'd already seen all of the really good films that this year had to offer, but Ride with the Devil proved me wrong. It stands out from the rest with its fluid weaving of history, drama, unexpected humor and characters all set against a striking backdrop of one of the blackest periods in American history - The Civil War. Most of the action takes place in and around the area of the midwest where I grew up, but I'm not as familiar with the particulars of historical accuracy as I'd like to be. To me, that's not the real point anyway. The movie was based on a novel, set in the 1860's, and focuses on characters who fight for the south in the war. One of the best things about the film is the way that it portrays the two sides, glorifying neither while allowing the audience to see the forces that drove so many men to kill one another - loyalty, friendship, vengeance, fear.
As an American, a movie like this will really make you think about your country and its sometimes inglorious past. Wonder what you would have done in the same situation. More than most films do for me, at least.
The acting is solid, something I was worried about with the relatively unproven cast. Even Jewel acquits herself admirably. And the direction by Ang Lee is superb. Most of the action takes place in the early going, and she handles the frenzy as well as any grizzled director could hope to do. I don't think I've ever seen a war movie directed by a woman, so kudos to Ang for breaking ground with such a stunning piece of work.
9.5 out of 10. Go see it and make yourself think.
As an American, a movie like this will really make you think about your country and its sometimes inglorious past. Wonder what you would have done in the same situation. More than most films do for me, at least.
The acting is solid, something I was worried about with the relatively unproven cast. Even Jewel acquits herself admirably. And the direction by Ang Lee is superb. Most of the action takes place in the early going, and she handles the frenzy as well as any grizzled director could hope to do. I don't think I've ever seen a war movie directed by a woman, so kudos to Ang for breaking ground with such a stunning piece of work.
9.5 out of 10. Go see it and make yourself think.