This will be short and to the point. Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk is not a "war movie". It is not a propaganda picture about American Imperialism, it is not a recruitment poster, and it is most certainly not an action movie. War, in all its complexity, is incidental to this film. Billy Lynn just happens to be a soldier and the events that kick off the film happened at war.
This is a film about labels.
From the moment Billy is labeled a "hero" by the press for doing something he didn't have time to think about, his life is consumed. He comes a symbol to everyone he meets, even those who are supposed to love and know him best.
To the Army, he becomes a recruitment tool. They send him on tour to be the Face of the War despite accomplishing nothing more than anyone else in his unit.
To Hollywood, he becomes a character. A fiction to be utilized in winning more accolades for people who already have plenty of it.
To his admirers, he becomes a "hero". A walking uniform onto whom one can pin all their unfulfilled aspirations and unrealistic expectations. One whose hand they can shake and be freed of all responsibility.
To his sister, he becomes a victim. An unwilling pawn of an unjust war, no matter how he himself feels about it.
To everyone, Billy Lynn becomes everything except Billy Lynn. The flesh and blood and memories of the person disappears into the mystique of heroism, until the only people left who still see it are his fellow soldiers. And the only place left where he isn't a symbol, the war.
This is not a war movie. If that is what you are expecting, don't see it.
This is a film about labels.
From the moment Billy is labeled a "hero" by the press for doing something he didn't have time to think about, his life is consumed. He comes a symbol to everyone he meets, even those who are supposed to love and know him best.
To the Army, he becomes a recruitment tool. They send him on tour to be the Face of the War despite accomplishing nothing more than anyone else in his unit.
To Hollywood, he becomes a character. A fiction to be utilized in winning more accolades for people who already have plenty of it.
To his admirers, he becomes a "hero". A walking uniform onto whom one can pin all their unfulfilled aspirations and unrealistic expectations. One whose hand they can shake and be freed of all responsibility.
To his sister, he becomes a victim. An unwilling pawn of an unjust war, no matter how he himself feels about it.
To everyone, Billy Lynn becomes everything except Billy Lynn. The flesh and blood and memories of the person disappears into the mystique of heroism, until the only people left who still see it are his fellow soldiers. And the only place left where he isn't a symbol, the war.
This is not a war movie. If that is what you are expecting, don't see it.