Review: The Thin Red Line (1998)

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The Thin Red Line

Rating

Director

Terrence Malick

Screenplay

Terrence Malick (Novel: James Jones)

Length

2h 50m

Starring

Kirk Acevedo, Penny Allen, Adrien Brody, Jim Caviezel, Ben Chaplin, John Cusack, Thomas Jane, Elias Koteas, Jared Leto, Michael McGrady, Dash Mihok, Tim Blake Nelson, Nick Nolte, Miranda Otto, Sean Penn, John C. Reilly, Larry Romano, John Savage, Nick Stahl, John Travolta

MPAA Rating

Basic Plot

Soldiers storm Guadalcanal to secure it for its strategic locale.

Review

In all of human history, there has been no greater killer than war. From the deadliest of earthquakes to the harshest famine, war destroys more life than any device ever created.

Why do we go to war? Are we trying to protect our freedom, our property or our family? Is that not what hundreds of non-human creatures do their entire lives? It’s the fight for survival that causes us to behave in such a destructive manner.

“The Thin Red Line” is a contemplative work from the director of 1978’s “Days of Heaven.” After a long, self-imposed, 20-year absence, Terrence Malick has returned to the cinema and brought with him one of the most beautiful and thought-provoking in modern film history.

The film opens on the release of a large alligator into a river. We do not know where the location is yet until we see the creature again later in the film. We then see one of the principle characters, Pvt. Witt (played skillfully by newcomer Jim Caviezel), who is living with a group of natives along with a friend of his from the military.

During these first few scenes, we see a very peaceful existence that seems oblivious to the war that is around them. They go about their work and play without any apparent cares. It’s no wonder why Witt and his friend have chosen to go AWOL and escape the hell that is to greet them.

It’s not long before they are “rescued” and interrogated about where they have been and why they went. Witt is chastised harshly by his superior, First Sgt. Edward Welsh (Sean Penn). Witt is returned to the battalion. However, he is forced to retrieve wounded from the line.

The film seems to center around Pvt. Witt, but features various characters in central role, none standing out more so than Lt. Col. Gordon Tall (Nick Nolte), Welsh, Witt and Capt. James Staros (Elias Koteas). All of which give outstanding performances.

Many people going to see “The Thin Red Line” will undoubtedly want to compare it with Spielberg’s war epic “Saving Private Ryan,” which is a grievous mistake. While both films are set during World War II and involve military invasions that were key to the success of the allies during that war, “Ryan” is more of a glamorized, yet gritty portrayal of soldier’s on a crusade to find one man. “Line” is a gritty, pensive morality play on the human desire to conquer others in hopes of furthering their ideals.

While the theme is different, many will still compare the two and in this reviewer’s opinion, “Line” wins the war. Comparing the various elements, other than theme, reveals that “Ryan” is a more flawed film. “Ryan” contains various cameos that are unnecessary, a not-so-convincing lead performance (Tom Hanks), an otherwise strong cast and a Hollywood-ized climax that seeps manipulation.

“Line,” on the other hand, contains two unnecessary cameos (John Travolta and George Clooney) and a terrific ensemble that never missteps. It has a terrific plot that refuses to spoon-feed ideas and allows itself to meander through one’s psyche, and an ending that, minus a few pointless wonderings, is quite appropriate for its contemplative nature.

Terrence Malick delivers a wonderful film that, for all intents and purposes, is about the sentiments against war. Many will say that the use of beautiful cinematography of various natural settings is unnecessary and frivolous, but I contend that it adds another dimension to the metaphor of war as a natural process of the animal kingdom.

“Ryan,” in all its technical splendor and attempts to pay tribute to the brave men who have fought and died for our country, seems hollow in its tribute, capitalizing on the deaths of those men and avoiding various more important and not-so-frivolous stories from the great war.

“The Thin Red Line” is a magnificent motion picture whose very essence is epitomized in its every sequence. War is an animalistic process that turns the brave into cowards and the strong into weak. It serves mainly to inflate men’s egos and destroy the very thing it was intended to secure: life.

Awards Prospects

Best Picture would be ideal, as would be Best Director. Neither are for certain. Look for nominations for Cinematography, Original Dramatic Score, Sound Effects and Adapted Screenplay. Possibilities include: Picture, Director, Production Design and Sound. I would love to see Caviezel nominatd, but it seems unlikely.