Movie Review: Unbroken

January 28, 2015

A Guy’s Perspective on the

Movie, UNBROKEN

Bio: I’m Colleen’s husband, Brad. I’m the youngest of four kids. I’ve been Deaf since I was five so I watch every movie with caption glasses. I love sports and reading (I’ll admit I’ve read Twilight but prefer thrillers like Jack Reacher). My favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip. I’ll never turn down a taco. I write poetry. My man credentials include: a high school career in wrestling, watching sports every time my wife is too busy to notice, a receding hairline, two repaired ACL’s, and a stockpile of Axe body wash.

A Man’s Perspective. . . .

“I loved this non-fiction book–spectacularly narrated and horrifyingly brutal, and very fascinating–when I finished it last summer.

The story of the late Louie Zamperini’s (1917-2014) arduous and inspiring journey of survival had actually been pitched around to become a movie for a number of years, but was passed on by studios and directors because Louie’s story seemed too fantastic to be believed. Kudos to Angelina Jolie for taking on the project, and though she did some admirable work in her directorial debut, I wondered if the movie would have been more stunning in the hands of an experienced director. In retrospect, however, I believe the book would have been better served in a mini-series format. There was just too much material to work with for a 2.5 hour film to do Zamperini’s experiences justice, hence, I think Jolie bit off more than she could chew.

Jack O’Connell as Zamperini has to carry the film and he does so fairly well.

But how many scenes of torture need we witness before we finally get that he is being tortured? I mean, yes, they were horrific but they were also the focal points of the movie–torture, suffering, torture, suffering. The Bird, Zamperini’s ruthless Japanese nemesis, is seen beating Zamperini repeatedly. Beyond that, we see little character development in Zamperini and the Bird that Jolie could have shown following the end of the war. This segment of the book, that Jolie basically ignores, was the most inspiring, and this was an opportunity completely missed. Yes, it would have lengthened the movie, but with better pacing and a better screenplay, I believe it would have been absolutely worth it. But it’s easy to sit here, pinpoint weaknesses, and play director given all the difficult choices Jolie had to make. So I have to give her her due and applaud her fortitude and courage in tackling this monumental project. Her injection of religious themes, often ignored by Hollywood, was interesting.

That is not to say I am disappointed; I am actually glad I saw this film and I would encourage anyone who loves history and drama to see this film. It was a good reminder of the horrors of war and the many sacrifices our armed forces render. At the very least read the book, because it will be a book you will long remember. I give the film 5.5 Hulk Smash Fists.”

– Brad

Check out the trailer

This entry was posted in A Guy's Perspective, Movie Review.

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Author Bio

Linda

I’m Linda Louise, one of the bloggers on this website and Colleen’s little sister. I’m just a girl in her mid-thirties who feels thirteen when I play outside with my boys, fifteen when I sing my heart out listening to tunes while driving by myself, and sixty five when I go out past ten at night. I have a thing for junior mints, Mt. Dew, shrimp and kale (though not all at once) and I have a crush on Superman. I still get girlish butterflies when I read Twilight, cry when I read These is My Words, and smile from ear to ear when I read Anne of Green Gables. I have nightmares about aliens on a regular basis and I have a bad habit of midnight snacking. I love everything sports, except golf (although can that honestly be considered a sport??), and I hate anything that slithers, hisses, or stings. I have a problem with giggling at inappropriate moments and I sometimes wish life was a musical. I love science, hate math, love Dr. Seuss, and hate olives. My family is my world and my joys come from their happiness. I’ve learned I don’t know much about anything and I live for a good adventure, naps, cuddles, stories, exceptional food and The Shire.

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Colleen Houck

Colleen's blog