The Thin Red Line Review
by "David Wilcock" (david DOT wilcock AT btinternet DOT com)March 7th, 1999
The Thin Red Line
Starring Sean Penn and Ben Chaplin
Directed By Terrence Malick
Running Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
(20th Century Fox)
Wow, this is a toughie to review. A return to directing from Badlands director Malick, The Thin Red Line is a movie that will delight some, and bore the hell out of others. Myself, I was certainly leaning towards the 'delight' side. The plot, even though the film doesn't really have one, centres around a group of American soldiers and their thoughts and feelings fighting against the Japanese. The screenplay is mainly carried along by voice overs of the various cast members, and suitable imagery is inserted through to emphasise the symbolism.
The Thin Red Line is certainly an intriguing affair, much more intellectual and provoking than the ridiculous trailers promise. While Fox are trying to market this film as competition to Saving Private Ryan, by showing mainly clips of the action sequences, The Thin Red Line is nothing like Spielbergs effort. Although it sometimes tries a little too hard to be profound, the makings of a truly great movie are contained inside The Thin Red Line, unlike the typical 'Hollywoodness' that featured throughout Ryan.
Having never seen Malick's previous films, I was not quite sure what to expect from a Malick movie. Thankfully, I was not disappointed. While missing some of the interesting camera techniques Spielberg exploited well in Ryan, Malick takes things at a much slower pace. He also likes to get his message across, using heavy symbolism throughout to show the develop and growth of the few principal characters. The style may be annoying to same: you may feel patronised after the 10th close up shot of wildlife. But it's there, and it largely works. Sometimes Malick likes to go into excess, the first five minutes drags out a very simple point. And the incessant use of voice overs to progress the plot may eventually grate.
Another criticism may be that the characters never get enough time to develop. We _do_ get to know a few characters well, principally Ben Chaplins, Nick Noltes and Sean Penns. All three actors are great, by the way, with Nolte's hard assed colonel being the most enjoyable performance, and Sean Penn and Chaplin delivering very intense performances. Considering the minimal script they have, and the huge reliance on voice overs, the cast have to show their emotions and feelings through their actions, and they all do this admirable. Even the bit actors leave an impact: John Cusack and Woody Harrelson amongst others aren't bad at all. But again the film seems to go into excess. John Travolta and George Clooney turn up in split second roles, and neither performance is that good. They could of been cut out, but what would be the point in a film that seems to cherish every characters that features?
Despite the overlength, the sometimes unnesscary cameos, and the rampant symbolism, The Thin Red Line is a demanding movie that can be enjoyed. Although the entertainment factor can't reach that of Saving Private Ryan, the film has a huge amount to offer for the patient.
RATING=***1/2 OUT OF *****
A David Wilcock Review ©1999
DAVID WILCOCK
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