(R-L) Ed Harris and Saoirse Ronan
Writer: Keith R Clarke, Peter Wier (screenplay), Slavomir Rawicz (book)
Director: Peter Wier
Notable Actors: Jim Sturgess, Saoirse Ronan, Ed Harris
Let’s be honest – the majority who saw this film saw it for the director. I certainly did. I definitely wasn’t for another round of Colin Farrell’s Wandering Accent (for that matter, his name doesn’t really suit him, does it? Slightly off topic, but all the same…)
This is one of four ‘true story’ films recently released into the mainstream, and it’s the only one which has a story I hadn’t heard of before. We’ve a thousand films detailing break-outs from POWs, but I confess I’d never even heard of a Gulag before. While I don’t expect education to be handed to me, I also don’t expect a film to be spoiled completely in the first few minutes.
Basically, this is based on a supposedly true story. What is known for certain is that three men did escape and live through the walk. This is told to you before a single damn shot, completely ruining the walk part of the film. It becomes a game of who’s-going-to-go (when in the case of the female, seeing as the wording of ‘three MEN’ is hardly easy to ignore). While I admire the makers for having the balls to put such a thing at, or rather prior to, the start, the film would’ve been no worse off to have had its dedication after the credits role. There’s a reason book dedications are vague, people.
But yes. The film. I’ve had one eye occasionally cast of Jim Sturgess for a while; a good actor befouled by the controversy surrounding the roles he has taken (google ‘21’ if you’re missing something). The fact he’s the essential lead of this ensemble cast is pretty impressive, considering his career thus far. But what’s even more impressive is the range he displays in the first five minutes alone. I truly didn’t recognise him. If you can’t be arsed with 133 minutes of this just check out that opening scene, I implore you.
Conversely to the magnificence of the opening scene, the final shot is so unneeded I felt a groan escape as it came. I’m reminded of Burke and Hare – someone really needed to slap the director over the side of the head and tell him it’s time to stop now. The ending shot basically ruined an otherwise intensive film. Oh, with the exception of that pre-film dedication. And the distraction of Colin Farrell.
Everyone else is either a character actor or unknown enough to pass by unnoticed. Colin Farrell utterly breaks reality simply by existing. So, this film, with its beautiful landscape shots and incredibly preforming cast, makes you think the following:
I’m annoyed. I don’t want to know what happens.
I’m impressed. Damn, Sturgess, I am impressed.
Oh. Colin Farrell. Slightly taken out of the suspension of disbelief now.
When are they going to escape already?
Come on, progress with the plot….
Who’s going to die next?
THANK FUCK COLIN FARRELL IS GONE now I can enjoy this.
Except there’s…*quickly counts* so many left. Who’s going to die and when/how?
I don’t want him to die. I rather like him
Oh. Well, it is only a film – it’s got Colin Farrell in it after all.
And the end of everything you do leave the cinema with a sense of appreciation for whoever managed that walk, no matter who they are. Three simple things ruined this film though. There was never a moment when you suddenly realised you were in the cinema. You’re very aware the whole way through. I don’t think that’s what I want a film to do.
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