Review: Hacksaw Ridge is this Generations Saving Private Ryan.
- Jan 4, 2017
- 2 min read
Hacksaw Ridge begins and ends with war and yet, at it's heart, it is against war and the very act of killing. From the opening slow motion sequence through to the visceral battles that make up the latter half of the film, one thing is apparent, Mel Gibson is back in a big way.
Hacksaw Ridge tells the true story (though with a little embellishment for the sake of storytelling) of Desmond Doss, a medic and Seventh Day Adventist who refused to carry a weapon, let alone kill anyone. Doss, portrayed by Andrew Garfield, is a young man, the son of a WW1 veteran, who willing signs up to fight the Japanese, provided that he is not required to carry or use a weapon. Naturally this causes a number of issues within the unit to which he is assigned.
The film is divided into two distinct parts. The first half tells the story of Desmond's life before joining as well as covering the hardship and trials, both literally and figuratively, he had to endure. It is truly well done with great performances by Garfield and Hugo Weaving who portrays Desmond's father. Their relationship is interesting and provides a unique perspective on what is to come. Sam Worthington and Vince Vaughn also deliver great performances with Vaughn's first scene being particularly well done. If Hacksaw Ridge was nothing but the lead up I wouldn't be disappointed, it's really that good. Fortunately though, there is more to come.
The second half covers the battle of Hacksaw Ridge, a major offensive on the island of Okinawa. From the moment Desmond and his platoon arrive the tension grows, the explosive battle scenes lurking just out of sight. Again, the characters are solid, namely due to their development during the first half of the film, and when the battle begins it's like a punch to the chest. Much like Saving Private Ryan some 18 years ago, the first battle is visceral to its very core and unflinching in it's portrayal of the wounds, both fatal and not. Unlike Saving Private Ryan however, this brutal warfare makes up approximately half the film. The stand out sequence of course being the main component of the story, Desmond's bravery when saving 75 wounded men over the course of a single night.
While the ending of the film is a little flat it's followed up with an interview with Doss himself, a moment that is truly eye opening (just watch it, you'll see) and helps to drive home the point, war is hell, and this guy has seen his fair share of it. Hacksaw Ridge is undeniably one of the best films of the year, a powerhouse of storytelling and a better comeback than Gibson could have hoped for. If you haven't seen it, you should, it's worth it, though maybe not one for the squeamish.
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