The War Zone is a shattering,powerful film dealing with a very difficult subject. It's not exactly an easy film to like,but than incest is not a nice subject,and it's easy to see why generally it's still not a subject that is portrayed often in cinema.
Set for the most part in one house and revolving for the most part around it's four inhabitants,one might expect a dull,uncinematic kitchen-sink kind of movie,but any worries are almost immediately dispersed by the beautiful and bleak shots of the Devon locale,the rocks and waves especially seeming to comment on the film's story and characters. Throughout the film,director Tim Roth lets many scenes play out in almost silence,aware that a look can say as much as five pages of dialogue.
Immediately one is grabbed by the film,the tension is extraordinary as you know things are not right in the family. Although there is one main plot thrust which builds up to a truly shocking scene,throughout there are other hints about about other things which may or may not be going on. For example does the son actually have sexual feelings for his sister? Does the mother actually suspect from the beginning? Did the father,well,I won't spoil one especially disturbing suggestion at the end. The important thing is these are things that were put there and sometimes only register on an almost unconscious level. Roth and his writer treat the viewers of the film as intelligent adults,and one person's interpretation of one thing might be different to another persons's.
Ray Winstone,who sometimes seem to get by on just grunting and swearing,gives a marvellously complex characterisation-those who think he is too 'normal' and nice miss the point. Tilda Swinton isn't really in the film enough,but perhaps the biggest kudos would go to the two children,playing extremely difficult roles. Which brings me to the central 'rape scene' in the film. It's not the sort of thing which anyone should want to watch,and maybe the point could have made just as well with the camera just focusing on the character who is witnessing the event. Still,Roth deserves credit for having the guts to go ahead and not compromise.
Despite the central main subject matter,there are moments of love and compassion in this film,although don't expect a happy ending. Some things are resolved,but one gets the feeling other unpleasant things could easily take root,may have already done so,in the characters. Essential viewing,but be warned-you may feel like you need a good wash afterwards! And please Tim Roth-make another film!
Set for the most part in one house and revolving for the most part around it's four inhabitants,one might expect a dull,uncinematic kitchen-sink kind of movie,but any worries are almost immediately dispersed by the beautiful and bleak shots of the Devon locale,the rocks and waves especially seeming to comment on the film's story and characters. Throughout the film,director Tim Roth lets many scenes play out in almost silence,aware that a look can say as much as five pages of dialogue.
Immediately one is grabbed by the film,the tension is extraordinary as you know things are not right in the family. Although there is one main plot thrust which builds up to a truly shocking scene,throughout there are other hints about about other things which may or may not be going on. For example does the son actually have sexual feelings for his sister? Does the mother actually suspect from the beginning? Did the father,well,I won't spoil one especially disturbing suggestion at the end. The important thing is these are things that were put there and sometimes only register on an almost unconscious level. Roth and his writer treat the viewers of the film as intelligent adults,and one person's interpretation of one thing might be different to another persons's.
Ray Winstone,who sometimes seem to get by on just grunting and swearing,gives a marvellously complex characterisation-those who think he is too 'normal' and nice miss the point. Tilda Swinton isn't really in the film enough,but perhaps the biggest kudos would go to the two children,playing extremely difficult roles. Which brings me to the central 'rape scene' in the film. It's not the sort of thing which anyone should want to watch,and maybe the point could have made just as well with the camera just focusing on the character who is witnessing the event. Still,Roth deserves credit for having the guts to go ahead and not compromise.
Despite the central main subject matter,there are moments of love and compassion in this film,although don't expect a happy ending. Some things are resolved,but one gets the feeling other unpleasant things could easily take root,may have already done so,in the characters. Essential viewing,but be warned-you may feel like you need a good wash afterwards! And please Tim Roth-make another film!