The Last Castle Review
by Steve Rhodes (Steve DOT Rhodes AT InternetReviews DOT com)October 25th, 2001
THE LAST CASTLE
A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2001 Steve Rhodes
RATING (0 TO ****): *** 1/2
At a time when studios are pulling certain films lest they trouble viewers' heightened sensitivities, THE LAST CASTLE is a perfect film for a time of war. A wonderful and unabashedly patriotic drama, the movie, by director Rod Lurie, who gave us one of last year's best films, THE CONTENDER, pits two superlative actors, Robert Redford and James Gandolfini, in a battle of wits and wills.
The story is set in a military prison where Gandolfini ("The Sopranos") plays an anal retentive warden named Colonel Winter. Pseudo-polite and sadistic, Colonel Winter loves cleaning the glass on his display case of military artifacts almost as much as he loves watching his prisoners being shot at for not following his orders quickly enough. The colonel, who has spent his career behind a desk, has known only one enemy, the soldiers unfortunate enough to have been incarcerated under his "care."
As the story opens, famous three-star general and former Vietnam POW General Irwin (Redford) is being sent to the prison for ten years for disobeying an order that got some of his men killed. He has only one goal, to serve his time so that he go home and play chess with his grandson. A quiet and unassuming man, he commands a room with the mere force of his presence. Redford might not be the first actor you'd think of casting for this role, but he delivers a powerful, understated performance that is dead-on. Not one to look for a fight nor one to avoid it if necessary, the general ends up being challenged unmercifully by the colonel. But it is the general's concern for the abuse of the soldiers there that stirs him into action.
The movie is a little slow getting started as it lays the groundwork for the troubles, but, once in gear, it flies, alternating scenes of psychological warfare with physical battles as General Irwin forms an army of prisoners to take on Colonel Winter. Essentially a two person drama, the movie does have a good supporting cast, the best being Delroy Lindo, who plays the colonel's boss.
From the cinematography to the set decoration, the production creates a completely believable and intriguing film. Jerry Goldsmith's wonderfully old-fashioned and dramatic music reminds one of something from a 1950's film.
As the suspense builds, you'll be on the edge of your seat. And the ending, which involves the American flag, will have you wanting to stand up and cheer.
THE LAST CASTLE runs 2:02. It is rated R for "language and violence" and would be acceptable for kids around 11 and up.
My son Jeffrey, age 12, who usually doesn't like serious movies, went wild over this one, giving it *** 1/2. He thought it was dramatic, realistic and extremely well made.
The film opens nationwide in the United States today, Friday, October 19, 2001. In the Silicon Valley it is showing at the AMC and the Century theaters.
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Originally posted in the rec.arts.movies.reviews newsgroup. Copyright belongs to original author unless otherwise stated. We take no responsibilities nor do we endorse the contents of this review.
