Flags of Our Fathers
FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS (2006): 4 stars out of 4. Starring Ryan Phillippe, Jesse Bradford, Adam Beach, Barry Pepper, Paul Walker, Benjamin Walker, Joseph Cross, John Benjamin Hickey, John Slattery, Jamie Bell, Robert Patrick, Neal McDonough, George Grizzard, Len Cariou, Harve Presnell and George Hearn. Based on the book by James Bradley with Ron Powers. Screenplay by William Broyles, Jr. and Paul Haggis. Directed by Clint Eastwood. Rated R. Running time: Approx: 132 mins.
Flags of Our Fathers is not so much about heroism and patriotism as it is about the marketing and exploitation of both.
Masterfully directed by Clint Eastwood, the movie's centerpiece is the raising of the U.S. flag on Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima, the effects of that iconic image of that event and the aftermath involving the survivors of the experience.
Brought back to the states to help sell War Bonds and raise money for the flagging drive, the three young men, Navy corpsman James 'Doc Bradley (Ryan Phillippe), and Marines Rene Gagnon (Jesse Bradford) and Ira Hayes (Adam Beach), feel uncomfortable about their roles as heroes.
They do not consider themselves as such, believing the ones who should be honored are those who made the ultimate sacrifice back on Iwo Jima.
The picture by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal was so inspirational that the government uses the trio parading the them around the country to help raise money for the war effort.
Everywhere they go, the three are treated as royalty. People mob them, want their autographs, buy them drinks.
The three overwhelmed young men are uncomfortable and guilt-ridden. As Hayes says, 'All I did was try not to get shot. They are reluctant heroes, indeed.
Watching the manner in which the three are exploited, recalls the recent story of Pvt. Jessica Lynch, who was lionized by the press and the government, which overstated her exploits in Iraq.
And the use of symbolism, the trio climb a replica of Suribachi to re-enact the flag raising, makes you think back to President Bush landing on the deck of an aircraft carrier to proclaim 'Mission Accomplished.
Eastwood's restrained style of moviemaking leaves these associations to the viewer. Nowhere does he call attention to contemporary issues.
But you slowly realize the parallels as you watch Bradley, Gagnon and Hayes cope with the unwanted celebrity foisted upon them by a desperate government striving to get its message to a people growing weary of the conflict.
Eastwood does not follow a linear path. The movie jumps from the three on tour to the landing and battle for Iwo Jima to contemporary times with survivors talking about their experiences with Bradley's son, who was writing a book about the battle, his father and the others who fought.
The movie, in fact, is based on that book.
Eastwood's staging of the battle scenes is brutally beautiful, recalling Steven Spielberg's recreation of the D-Day landing in Saving Private Ryan. At time using hand-held cameras, he captures the chaos, confusion, fear and adrenaline. On Iwo Jima, he mutes his colors so everything looks a bluish-gray, as if all the life has been drained from the island and those on it.
Flags of Our Fathers is one of the best movies of the year, one which will be hard to ignore come the Academy Award nominations.
From the splendid screenplay by William Broyles, Jr. and Paul Haggis, to the photography, the editing and sound effects, the movie is a magnificent collaboration.
It is a stirring and lasting tribute to the young men of 'the greatest generation while also sounding a warning alarm about making sure we look through today's symbolism to seek the truth.
Bob Bloom is the film critic and DVD reviewer at the Journal & Courier in Lafayette, Ind. He can be reached by e-mail at bbloom@journalandcourier.com or at serialhero48@yahoo.com. Bloom's reviews also can be found at the Journal & Courier Web site: www.jconline.com
Other reviews by Bloom can be found at the Rottentomatoes Web site: www.rottentomatoes.com.
