alonovo.com (beta 2.0)

A Solid WW2 Tale From A New Perspective 2010-07-10

Reviewer: Zachary Koenig

When I think of World War 2 films, I usually think of graphic war scenes, Holocaust themes, or military strategy. This film takes a completely different approach to the WW2 era, showing it from the point of view of a group of Jewish citizens trying to avoid capture and survive out in the woods.

For a basic plot summary, this film focuses on the two eldest Bielski brothers (Tuvia & Zus), who lead a band of fleeing Jews into the woods when the Germans begin to invade Eastern Europe. While out in the Belarussian forest, the Bielski boys must not only feed hungry mouths and keep away from the Germans, but also navigate through different political/military strategies and the shady Russian army (in which you never know who to trust).

This movie may not be an all-time classic, but it is a very solid WW2 tale told from a perspective I'm not accustomed to (and thus rather fresh). Being based on a true story, it is remarkable to consider the odds that the vagrant Jews faced just to survive each day, nonetheless maintain their freedom.

The two acting leads (Daniel Craig & Liev Schreiber) are very compelling, while none of the auxiliary cast are exceptionally bad. Though it is a bit slow in the beginning, by the end the plot/characters will really have you rooting for success.

Thus, I recommend this film to WW2 enthusiasts of all kind. If you don't expect a masterpiece, and are content with a good story from a new angle, you will enjoy this film very much.

Excellent, excellent movie 2010-06-21

Reviewer: atkinson77

Although violent, a very good movie for all to see. Some great lessons both on what to do and what NOT to do. Parts of the movie are sad but it ends on a very uplifting note. Highly recommended!

Please, God, do not choose Us anymore 2010-06-13

Reviewer: Rev. E. Antonio Hernandez

Written and directed by Edward Zwick (director of THE LAST SAMURAI and BLOOD DIAMOND), this interesting, moving film was a fascinating watch. It is the story of the fabulous Bielski brothers, Tuviya a/k/a Tuvya a/k/a Tuvia (Daniel Craig), Zus (Liev Schreiber) and young Asael (a great turn from Jamie Bell).

These Russian Jewish brothers escaped the NAZIs into the depths of the forest in 1941 or thereabouts. They took with them everyone they could, eventually evacuating an entire ghetto, and at certain moments working with the Russian resistance (as one elder pointed out, the same Russians whose ancestors had committed the pogrom).

These people, more than 1,000, survived in the woods for nearly four years. The Bielski brothers rallied them and Tuvia Bielski was the 'commandant'--but it was the power of the people to the nth degree that makes this true story an incredibly moving, inspiring tale. Coming to be known as "The Bielski Partisans", this group of Jews, poor and once-rich, laborer and educated professional, fought a little-known great resistance in WWII Russia.

In the end, all these Jews would be forced to cross a marsh that made the Pontine look like a kiddie-pool; they would all learn to be warriors as were their ancient ancestors; and would eventually take on the NAZIs in a fierce hand-to-hand battle...which the Jews won.

I imagine there are poetic licenses taken in DEFIANCE, which is as it should be. I was deeply moved by Daniel Craig's solid, reliable performance. His Russian is fantastic, and there was no want in his acting at all (I've been hearing complaints since he played James Bond). Liev Schreiber is haunting and powerful as he always is; naturally his Russian is fluent and easy also. Jamie Bell, though somewhat shoved into the back seat, performs capably and I'm sorry he didn't get all he deserved from this film.

The other performers are spectacular, with natural, frightened and really emotionally charged work that you don't get everyday. While you may not recognize most of these excellent performers, you will see members of your own families in their faces. Especially the girls. They are strong, powerful, they do not whine as you might expect anyone would do; they accept their life, a harsh truth in exchange for a future. As one significant character prays, "God, do not choose us anymore."

I will stop the synopsis because I'm sure it's easy to guess. However, a few more words about the film as film: it is a bit slow and saggy in places I'd expect some brilliance. Kurosawa was unmatched at making silence and stillness count for much. This film doesn't do that, and lacks a lot of subtlety. As I say Jamie Bell is ill-used here, considering his talents. It shows a bit of lack of directorial experience.

The cinematography is wonderful, the soundtrack a good, unintrusive complement. My wife and I were very impressed by the way this film uses color and monochrome. Watch for it, I won't try to describe it. One thing that really made it for me was the parallel between my people fleeing Egypt so long ago, and these people in the forests of Russia. You'll see this too, so I'll not spoil it. It is one of the things the director nailed perfectly.

One thing else I must address, and that is accents. It struck me as natural that the characters should speak with accents, in spite of them all speaking Russian at certain times. They are Russian, so they use Russian accents. Yet this is a contrivance I cannot comprehend, and do not usually approve. We had the same issue with VALKYRIE--the public asked why the characters didn't affect German accents, as if it were "Hogan's Heroes".

Generally characters do not need silly accents. It detracts from drama and story; it sounds silly and as I said, very contrived. We do not need accents to tell one set of characters from another, especially in DEFIANCE. Yet it works and I had no qualm with it. That means I am missing something. I wish I knew what it was I was missing; I can tell you that each actor in DEFIANCE mysteriously loses his accent at one time or another. It happens a lot. Perhaps there is a cinematic lesson here about giving actors unnecessary accents.

We must never forget, and this film in spite of all technical flaws gets the full tamale for teaching us something we didn't really know. This is stuff that cannot be forgotten once learned, and these heroes should go into the future well known and beloved. Like the film itself, warts and all, it is a glorious, miraculous and heroic thing.

Gripping 2010-06-06

Reviewer: Middle Earth

Great movie. I was gripped throughout, very moving and never dull. The acting was excellent and by the end you are left desperate for a happy ending. I'm glad that this movie was made as it's a story of courage and desperate survival that deserves chronicling.

Another great thought provoking war movie:

Downfall

One of the BEST stories in years 2010-05-29

Reviewer: JLong

This is a fantastic movie. I would suggest this movie for the scene were Craig vistits the policeman's house for dinner, even if the rest of the movie were bad. But, the rest of movie is actually quite good. I very much enjoyed the story line and the great cast. If you liked the vengence-come-to-town scene from Clint's Unforgiven, I think you would also enjoy this movie. Plenty of good old fashioned Nazi killin' action.