Flowers Of War
For those who’s never heard of it, “It tells the story of a dozen Chinese convent girls caught in the horror of the Rape of Nanking in 1937, of the 14 prostitutes who seek shelter with them and of a plan for escape executed by a lone American. (Christian Bale)”. It's quite easy to agree with many reviews by saying, when thought about, it deviates from its overall played out image of a powerful insight into historical a historical event. It's a brilliant train wreck that still manages to shine through
One can't help but to to question, 'Whats the main point of this film? What is it really about?' The one that seems that a plausible one would be the theme of, How to place more value over ones life or another. But yet so is, Getting away with crime in war. Same goes for, Rape, Moralities, and Selflessness vs Selfishness. The story has so many messages that are carefully thrown together a dog pile. Its as if the director wanted to see which one would shine through the most.
The film stars Christian Bale, an American artist who has been in quite a few phenomenal works. Quite honestly he's what made some of his films so successful. However, the same cannot be stated for this film. In fact, he is the epiphany of its failure. He starred as the lone American mortician who pilfers the orphans wine storage and food supply. And is only drawn to stay by the promise of sexual favors of the strong willed prostitutes. In the early parts of the film, his character is unbelievable ignorant to the tragedy that is happening around him, so much so that it keeps one from actually getting the realness out of his actions. He is only selfishly caring about his own self. While he may have been acting out his role, if done properly, he may have been able to execute this overrated character properly. Unfortunately, like the movie itself, it's just off the mark.
Christian Bale may not have been that great of a problem, if it wasn't for the fact that he was glaringly the only American representative in the film. (Besides the one minute screen time of his companions to toward the end of the film). His character is only made 'bearable', by his heroic actions through the later part of the film. And his constant sore thumb accent that makes one wish for the whole film to be subtitled.
Christian Bale may not have been that great of a problem, if it wasn't for the fact that he was glaringly the only American representative in the film. (Besides the one minute screen time of his companions to toward the end of the film). His character is only made 'bearable', by his heroic actions through the later part of the film. And his constant sore thumb accent that makes one wish for the whole film to be subtitled.
Flowers of war is a film that is almost impossible not to be affected by, in some type of way. This is displayed by the setting, delivery of the story as well as its actors. Unfortunately the same things are what sells this film short. Its potential was far from being reached. All in all, Flowers of War is a moving film that, oh so sadly, just misses the mark of being great.
Besides missing the mark, The Flowers Of War, is still a brilliant film that makes up for its flaws in many of its own ways. Even though not all of its themes are conveyed as well as they could be, it still holds many lessons. Anyone who walk away from this movie will be moved in some way. It is not a must watch, but a see it to believe it.