See it at the Movies

HACKSAW RIDGE

Posted

HACKSAW RIDGE

* * * ½

(True story of love, war and heroism)

Director Mel Gibson finds a compelling but uneven and, at times, overdramatic way of telling the true story of Desmond Doss, a World War II conscientious objector who saves 75 lives at Hacksaw Ridge.

After a short preface showing the horror of war, we are taken to a serene scene in Virginia, where young Desmond is growing up with his brother, mother and abusive father. There is a violent scene, and later in the film a flashback, that reveal his refusal to touch a gun and his conscientious objection.

The scene shifts again, as Gibson takes us through the part of Desmond's life as he joins the Army, refuses to bear arms, is harassed by officers and fellow soldiers, faces a court martial hearing, and becomes a medic.

The next chapter in the film is very realistic and may be too much for some people to watch. His platoon is sent to Hacksaw Ridge, where they have to climb a huge rope ladder and, because of heavy fog, face the unseen enemy in a grisly, gruesome battle that outdoes "Saving Private Ryan" in its depiction of the horrors of battle. Many American and Japanese soldiers die and are seriously wounded as night falls and the Americans retreat. Doss stays behind and heroically saves many of the wounded who were left for dead.

There are a number of not-so-subtle references. Desmond meets his true love, a nurse working in the ER, and takes her to a beautiful ridge in Virginia.

When his platoon replaces the previous ones, we see truckloads of dead and wounded, as their clean, innocent faces contrast with the beaten down dirty faces of those who have been in combat.

Andrew Garfield gives a remarkable performance as the southern good ole boy who stands up for his beliefs and becomes a true American hero. Stay until the end and get a glimpse of some of the real-life true heroes of Hacksaw Ridge.

Rated a big R, and with a warning that some of the scenes of battle are very realistic and hard to watch.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here