The Thin Red Line Review

by Joel B. Kirk (joelkirk AT sbcglobal DOT net)
December 15th, 2003
The Thin Red Line
A film review by Joel B. Kirk

SYNOPSIS:

WWII: An American army platoon called C-for-Charlie Company attempts capture the Japanese-controlled island of Guadacanal in the Pacific Ocean, which will have a major effect on the outcome of the war. Each man has his own story, be it for glory, for duty, or to debate the reason they are there fighting.

MY TAKE:

This film was directed by Terrence Malick, who helmed the now-acclaimed BADLANDS in 1978 (starring Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek), followed by DAYS OF HEAVEN the same year (starring Richard Gere and Brooke Adams). It was a 20 years hiatus, before Terrence Malick would release his third film.

The film is based on James Jones' 1962 novel, which was filmed in 1964 by Andrew Marton, focuses on dramatic tension, and philosophical imagery with each soldier of Charlie Company having a personal story.
POSITIVE/NEGATIVE NITPICKS:

The music of Hans Zimmer; as he would do in GLADIATOR, THE ROCK, would complement the action sequences as well as the dramatic sequences with tough, striking themes.

Nick Nolte's (THE HULK) intensified performance as Lt. Colonel Tall is of notice, also. He portrays a commander who feels he was passed over command, and will do anything, even sacrifice his own men, to attain his glory. Elias Koteas (EXOTICA), as Captain Staros is his opposite; he wants to prevent any needless deaths of the soldiers, and being the subordinate of Lt. Colonel Tall, Staros must maintain what he feels is humane despite going against orders that may cost him his career.
FINAL COMMENTS:

This movie definitely is not for all tastes.

While the violence is not necessarily graphic, there are long moments of ‘philosophy' when there is no gun-fire being exchanged. Multiple sub-stories with soldiers argue about the horrors of war, and some have personal moments of finding one's self (particularly the James Caviezel (FREQUENCY) scenes as he reflects on life with the native Melanesians to the war at hand, and a scene with an unnamed soldier crying in a set up camp during a rainy afternoon).

This may distant some viewers, coming off as too artsy; however, this film is recommended.

MY RATING:
*** out of ****

CAST:
Sean Penn-Sergeant Welsh
Adrien Brody-Corporal Fife
James Caviezel-Private Witt
Ben Chaplin-Private Bell
George Clooney-Captain Bosche
John Cusack-Captain Gaff
Woody Harrelson-Sergeant Keck
Elias Koteas-Captain Staros
Jared Leto-Lieutenant Whyte
Nick Nolte-Lt. Colonel Tall
John Savage-Sergeant McCron
John Travotal-Brig. General Quintard

GENRE:
War/Drama

YEAR OF RELEASE:
1998 by 20th Century-Fox Pictures

EMAIL: [email protected]

Copyright 2003 Joel B. Kirk

More on 'The Thin Red Line'...

---

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.