After being disappointed by the admirable, functional but surprisingly uninspiring Flags Of Our Fathers I didn't know whether its companion piece would be for me. But I like Clint Eastwood as a filmmaker. Ever since I saw Play Misty For Me I've considered him one of the truly gifted director/actors so I knew i'd give Letters From Iwo Jima a chance.
And wow! Am I glad I did. Like Flags it has stunning cinematography, unobtrusive special effects, a strong ensemble and a beautiful, yet understated score but Letters From Iwo Jima is more than just the sum of its flawless parts. Capturing the emotion, the heartache, the hardship, the friendships, the innocence, the anger, the horror and the futility of war like no other American-made war film i can recall it is, quite simply, Eastwood's first true masterpiece since Unforgiven.
Now, I love A Perfect World, Bridges Of Madison County, Mystic River and Million Dollar Baby, I even enjoy Absolute Power and Midnight In the Garden of Good & Evil, but no matter how good or bad any of these films are none are masterpieces. I believe sincerely that with Letters From Iwo Jima Eastwood has delivered for the war film what he did for the western in Unforgiven - a believable, emotional, beautiful piece of art that is also entertainment. Where Flags seemed overlong Letters drifts expertly through its running time, drawing you into the lives of the characters, investing the audience. It gives a sense of what it must have been like, not just for those on the other side of a conflict where we usually only see our side, but just the general impression of being in a war.
It also doesn't fall into the trap of trying too hard to make us see the other side. The beauty of this film is it's not about sides, it's about war and people.
Expertly played, smartly produced, beautiful and heartrending to watch. I only wish I could shake Mr Eastwood by the hand, I have finally seen a movie this decade that I know will stay with me through my lifetime.
And wow! Am I glad I did. Like Flags it has stunning cinematography, unobtrusive special effects, a strong ensemble and a beautiful, yet understated score but Letters From Iwo Jima is more than just the sum of its flawless parts. Capturing the emotion, the heartache, the hardship, the friendships, the innocence, the anger, the horror and the futility of war like no other American-made war film i can recall it is, quite simply, Eastwood's first true masterpiece since Unforgiven.
Now, I love A Perfect World, Bridges Of Madison County, Mystic River and Million Dollar Baby, I even enjoy Absolute Power and Midnight In the Garden of Good & Evil, but no matter how good or bad any of these films are none are masterpieces. I believe sincerely that with Letters From Iwo Jima Eastwood has delivered for the war film what he did for the western in Unforgiven - a believable, emotional, beautiful piece of art that is also entertainment. Where Flags seemed overlong Letters drifts expertly through its running time, drawing you into the lives of the characters, investing the audience. It gives a sense of what it must have been like, not just for those on the other side of a conflict where we usually only see our side, but just the general impression of being in a war.
It also doesn't fall into the trap of trying too hard to make us see the other side. The beauty of this film is it's not about sides, it's about war and people.
Expertly played, smartly produced, beautiful and heartrending to watch. I only wish I could shake Mr Eastwood by the hand, I have finally seen a movie this decade that I know will stay with me through my lifetime.