I have such a hard time with military-based movies. As a disabled veteran who was on active duty during wartime, we were all exposed to and learned quickly about rank, procedure, customs and chain of command. This movie is no departure from the bad habit that American Filmmakers have of paying no attention to even the most simple and basic military customs. For example saluting. Why can't hollywood just get a handle on this most basic gesture? Thumb tucked to the side of the hand, hand and arm are 1 straight line, snap hand up tucked tightly to the body and middle fingertip drawn up to the end of the eyebrow. Palm should be closed at a 45° angle. Simple. Saluting indoors NEVER happens unless it's an award ceremony or other major event. Being outdoor with no lid (hat) never happens. Left-handed salutes, never happens unless the troop lost his/her arm. Having bushy or long hair that touches a mans ears or lower than the collar for females. Ugh, sorry - I'm on a rant. Back to the movie.
Redford (as General Irwin) is a disgraced General sent to prison to "do his time and go home:. Tony Soprano/James Gandolfini (Col Winter) plays a ruthless sociopath assigned to the position of warden of said prison. During Irwin's orientation, which was much anticipated by Warden Col Winter, General Irwin manages to offend Col Winter,band the hilarity ensues. Kidding - there's no hilarity besides the military etiquette or , I should say, lack therof. The General, who was sent to prison for dereliction of duty, is disgusted with the unethical treatment of the inmates by Warden Col Winter, and with the help of some of the inmates begins to organize the inmates in order to overthrow the prison. This further enrages an already paranoid, egotistical and miserably angry Warden Col Winter. What works: one of my favorite actors, Mark Ruffalo, is so good that when he flubs his line at 1:30:08 ("...this thirty days - 3 months...") the camera keeps rolling, and the tumble down the stairs at 1:35:00 ended in a bumped head on the railing that hurt even ME! Some of the extras must have been current, former or reserve military because their military bearing was actually not too bad. The plot, while a bit fantastical, is actually decent insofar as keeping a 2½ hour vehicle rolling. There was even an uprising featuring a catapult, because what prison ground doesn't have an innate catapult? Gandolfini did well in s role that very easily could have ended up as a Soprano redux. Instead he brought a smarter, calmer and more cerebral atmosphere to the part. I quite liked him here. And Redford? Ugh Redford is Redford. He's not a great actor and every time I see him in a movie I chuckle. He emphasizes the wrong words, he's stiff at times also. But, he brings an air of respect because he's such a Hollywood mainstay and legend. What doesn't work: I dont understand it. How much would it cost to hire an armed forces veteran to consult on these films? My god 10's of MILLIONS are spent on these movies but they can't hire a military consultant? The prison itself also. I've been in jail and.....ugh....just trust me. That's not what prison is like - or jail for that matter. Some of the effects are a bit mickey-mousie but whatever - that was 18 years ago.
In the final analysis I enjoyed it, and I think you will, too. As long as you forgive them their laziness in not paying attention to military customs. I joke a bit about movies' realism, but then unless a film purports to be a biography or based on actual events, aren't they supposed to temporarily suspend your disbelief? I think I read that somewhere. So relax and have fun with it. Enjoy!
Redford (as General Irwin) is a disgraced General sent to prison to "do his time and go home:. Tony Soprano/James Gandolfini (Col Winter) plays a ruthless sociopath assigned to the position of warden of said prison. During Irwin's orientation, which was much anticipated by Warden Col Winter, General Irwin manages to offend Col Winter,band the hilarity ensues. Kidding - there's no hilarity besides the military etiquette or , I should say, lack therof. The General, who was sent to prison for dereliction of duty, is disgusted with the unethical treatment of the inmates by Warden Col Winter, and with the help of some of the inmates begins to organize the inmates in order to overthrow the prison. This further enrages an already paranoid, egotistical and miserably angry Warden Col Winter. What works: one of my favorite actors, Mark Ruffalo, is so good that when he flubs his line at 1:30:08 ("...this thirty days - 3 months...") the camera keeps rolling, and the tumble down the stairs at 1:35:00 ended in a bumped head on the railing that hurt even ME! Some of the extras must have been current, former or reserve military because their military bearing was actually not too bad. The plot, while a bit fantastical, is actually decent insofar as keeping a 2½ hour vehicle rolling. There was even an uprising featuring a catapult, because what prison ground doesn't have an innate catapult? Gandolfini did well in s role that very easily could have ended up as a Soprano redux. Instead he brought a smarter, calmer and more cerebral atmosphere to the part. I quite liked him here. And Redford? Ugh Redford is Redford. He's not a great actor and every time I see him in a movie I chuckle. He emphasizes the wrong words, he's stiff at times also. But, he brings an air of respect because he's such a Hollywood mainstay and legend. What doesn't work: I dont understand it. How much would it cost to hire an armed forces veteran to consult on these films? My god 10's of MILLIONS are spent on these movies but they can't hire a military consultant? The prison itself also. I've been in jail and.....ugh....just trust me. That's not what prison is like - or jail for that matter. Some of the effects are a bit mickey-mousie but whatever - that was 18 years ago.
In the final analysis I enjoyed it, and I think you will, too. As long as you forgive them their laziness in not paying attention to military customs. I joke a bit about movies' realism, but then unless a film purports to be a biography or based on actual events, aren't they supposed to temporarily suspend your disbelief? I think I read that somewhere. So relax and have fun with it. Enjoy!