Today I had the opportunity to see “Lebanon” with my good friend Mark Kinsey. While it was a good film dealing with the effects of the first day of the war on the crew of a Centurion, I found the effects and the story very forced.
The film takes place inside the Centurion with glimpses outside through the commander’s observation port. While the closed effects have worked in other films like Das Boot, it was forced on the audience. The observation port view while voyeuristic was also forced and very centered.
Often I was thinking why doesn’t the commander open up the hatch (as most IDF tankers did) or after a RPG hit why the never checked for damage.
Often I was thinking why doesn’t the commander open up the hatch (as most IDF tankers did) or after a RPG hit why the never checked for damage.
I understand artistic interpretation, but the writer and director was in the tank at the time.
Am I glad I watched it yes, is it a rare look at the Lebanese conflict yes, could it be better absolutely.
Am I glad I watched it yes, is it a rare look at the Lebanese conflict yes, could it be better absolutely.
I absolutely hated this film, a sorry excuse which failed in just about every aspect which you might expect from a film - I'd moan about it on my own blog if I didn't loathe it so much!
ReplyDeleteit felt like it was trying to be 'a documentary as seen through a TC's periscope', at the end of the day it just wasn't satisfying, and I really felt the best part of the movie was when he popped the hatch at the end in the middle of that sunflower field.
ReplyDeleteA movie from the perspective of the inside of a tank and the best part is where they leave the tank. I told Jon that I felt the view from the tank viewport was "gimmicky", but he's hit the nail on the head by calling it forced.
ReplyDeleteI have a hard time disagreeing with Tacobat. But think how damning that comment really is. It's like saying "boy the best part of 'Das Boot' was when they reached the dock at the end." Oh, and ending your movie where it began is a cliche.
Mark - Remember they sank the U Boat once they brought it back to port.
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