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Title: The Thin Red Line
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| CONSUMER ADVICE |
Parents, as per most war movies this has some graphic violence not suitable for kids. Recommended for ages 17 and up. |
What a pity “The Thin Red Line” is. What a pity that it was released the same year of Steven Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan.” What a pity that it was nominated for Best Picture against Spielberg’s aforementioned “Saving Private Ryan.” What a pity this movie has always been in the shadows of “Saving Private Ryan.” What a pity that I should see it the day after I see “Saving Private Ryan.” Like “Saving Private Ryan,” “The Thin Red Line” takes place during World War II. The battle that “The Thin Red Line” covers though is the Battle of Guadalcanal. Beautiful, beautiful Guadalcanal. A place so beautiful, that I suspect most of talent involved in this film were involved for the sole purpose of visiting that beautiful land. Oh, and working with director Terrence Malick, who became somewhat of a hermit after his last film "Days of Heaven" was released almost 25 years prior.
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Even the movie itself seems to be more interested in the land then the story, as the story is a mess. A captivating mess, but a mess nonetheless. One that is very untidy and very irritating to be around for too long. Unfortunately, the movie clocks in ten minutes shy of three hours and effectively overstays its welcome. The movie poster/box highlights many big stars, such as Oscar winner Sean Penn, Oscar winner Adrien Brody, Oscar Winner George Clooney, Oscar nominee John Travolta, Oscar nominee John C. Reilly, Oscar nominee Woody Harrelson…there is some MAJOR talent behind this movie! I can’t stress this enough. Yet most of these actors make glorified cameos, while Nick Nolte and Jim Caviezel (who are the closest things we have to protagonists in this movie) get billing UNDER the title!
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Heck, Adrien Brody is billed as the second major star on the poster above the title, yet is in the movie for about…3 minutes or so. Trust me, I counted. You probably are now reading more information on actor billing then you probably care to, but I stress this because story, character development, and star power is very absent in this film. There are scenes where Jim Caviezel remembers his wife at home through flashbacks. There are moments when Nick Nolte argues with his soldiers (most of whom are nameless and unknown). Sometimes a random narrator narrates the movie (most of the time it sounded like John Travolta, though he was only on screen for 2 minutes and 21 seconds). Most of the time though it’s beautiful scenery, characters starring at each other for long periods of time, and once in awhile things will start blowing up.
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As a movie, I’m not sure what the purpose was when they decided to make it. There is much skill behind the craft to be sure. The cinematography, special effects, and camera work is all very impressive. This is a great looking and sounding film. But it just sits there. Not much happens most of the time and we never really get a sense that anything is happening. No main characters to follow, no major mission is being fulfilled, nothing that really matters. I just don’t get it. There’s a great movie somewhere in this mess, I just can’t seem to find it. What a pity, for I’d sure like to see that great movie someday.
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