Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
One of the few military war films that could make you cry.
Presentation:
Normally it would take a very tragic setting like the Holocaust to get you teary eyed, but even for hardened veterans this film should make you choke up in the least expected way. It’s not so much sad as it is truly inspiring and touching in a way no war film has ever made me feel. It’s a very unique take on the genre, which is one of the truly anti-war films at its core inception. Andrew Garfield is quite a good casting choice as he brings a calm sensitivity that he expertly employs from his other film Silence.
Conclusion:
When you’ve thought you seen it all, this war film comes out of nowhere defying expectations with a refreshing perspective. It could be a powerful drama regardless of the war aspects. And what makes it even more impactful is the real soldier it is based off of, which makes the story even more moving if you decide to research him. This feels very different than all the modern war films and is one you should take seriously despite being presented as a generic addition to the genre. This is not just one more war film.
Recommendations
War isn’t about who’s right, rather who’s left.