Letter from Iwo Jima (2007)........ Frankly i never even heard of the movie let alone seen it. When I was compiling the list of movies that I have to watch in my quest; this movie caught my eye. Its directed by Clint Eastwood and it was nominated for best picture and i have not even heard of it. that got me curious. So thanks to torrents i was able to get hold of this movie. What struck me first about the movie is that its in Japanese and Clint Eastwood being on the other side of the war certainly get an applause for shear choice and handling of the topic.
The movie is a simple story of bravery. There is this island " Iwo Jima" which is strategical important for japan during world war II. This important island if lost would have given America direct base to attack Japan mainland. Nice setting for horrific war movie. It addresses all the issues of Japanese war stories right from civilians dragged to war, unequipped for war, strategically unaware and whole lot. The hidden bunkers created by these soldiers with all human effort is what made the island of Iwo Jima so special. It is more over a symbol of position of Imperial Japan in the world war II, great courage in the face of defeat.
Our protagonist General Kuribayashi ( Kane watanbe, Famous Chairman from "Memoirs of Geisha" ) is a visionary and well aware of what lies in store for him. Fighting a loosing battle does not balk him from doing brave and humane acts. Eccentric and unconventional is what best explains him. Still in the end you do feel for these soldiers. Human element of military operations are also captured very well.
Clint Eastwood has done a great job on this film. As usual his background scores are rather moving. I see a great pattern in all the films that i have seen of him. Fight against adversity; But it inevitably has a sad ending. Some day definitely i would like to ask him why he creates 99% positive movie just to end it in sadness. But i must say, I am yet to see more humane war film.
Clint Eastwood has definitely done better work according to me. This movie at times failed me holding my interest, may be it was due to language.
If you are a war film fan .......Please go ahead download and see the movie. It will make you think of Japanese in better light. It certainly made me visit those historic events on Wiki.
If you are not a war film fan but appreciate good foreign language cinema. Seriously have a look at it. recommended.
4 comments:
mandu watch "flags of our fathers" same event told from american point of view directed by Eastwood
yeah flags of our fathers is also a must watch...
Ya i read about it as well. someday i will watch it :)
i am currently watching all oscar best picture nominated movies and blog about them as and when i watch them :)
Reading your blog after a long time. I would like to read more of your work on movies. This is a passion that you should follow. Your blog gives away a lot of the plot of the movie. But a good piece is one which compels you to watch the movie.
Hope you write more often...
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