(old review) Letters from Iwojima
Saturday, 6 June 2009
Letters from Iwo Jima 硫黄島からの手紙
Posted by De3h at 12:09 PM
すげええええ！！！ NINOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!
OH MY GOD NINO.
I knew he had acting talent, his one of the actors of Arashi but, whoa. I respect him so much more now. He was absolutely brilliant in that film, I can't believe it. Who knew that the snarky, bratty Nino could shine so well in such a bleak film.
'Letters From Iwo Jima/Iwojima kara no Tegami' Review
Japanese: Iwojima kara no Tegami
English Translation: Letters From Iwo Jima
Date: 09/12/06(Japan), 20/12/06(USA), 22/02/07(Australia)
Favourite Aspect: Stunning cinematography, the humanitarian approach/Nino's wonderful acting.
Least Favourite Aspect: Watanabe Ken didn't do much fighting.
Rating: A+! (4.7/5)
As a Whole: I have been wanting to watch this film for ages. It was worth the wait for three years! Nino is a fantastic actor! I love Clint Eastwood's fantastic cinematography which really emphasised the humanitarian aspect, focusing on the individual story of the soldiers on Iwo Jima.
Fangirling aside, I must note that this film takes its time to build to climax. It is a deliberately slow film, but I enjoyed its simplicity. I found myself able to analyse this film as Eastwood portrayed the conflict between fighting for what's right and fighting to stay alive. I found myself crying at the thought of the Japanese soldiers and the remnants of the cultural Bushido war mentality. They fought patriotism and ultimate honour, willing to die for it. It fantastic to also witness not only the Japanese perspective of things, but the sacrifice and inner-conflict between their desire to survive for their family and the Bushido mentality to die a death before dishonour. It was akin to peeling away the masked stereotype of Japanese war-like fanatacism. The acting was excellent especially by Nino and Watanabe Ken. It was incredibly heart-wrenching, especially when they showed mercy. If you want to watch a war-film this is THE war film. It was gut-wrenching, touching and even comical at times.
So moving towards my least favourite aspects. The gore was cool. I liked it. Although I felt that Gen. Kuribayashi's (Watanabe) role was lost amongst the stories of everyone else. Yes his story flourished throughout the film, but I feel like he didn't do much fighting. I don't know, I suppose it's because of The Last Samurai I expected him to be right in the action as opposed to the North of the Island planning strategy, but I loved his practical character anyway. Also despite it was a Japanese perspective, it was quite obvious to perceive the hint of American thought or cultural imperialism pervade the film. For example, those Army commanders who were sympathetic or kind were the ones who had been to America. It portrayed prejudice on both sides. There were hints throughout the film that it was made by an American, but that may be perhaps to demonstrate the underlying humanity of everyone - that in war we are all the same.
Eastwood himself that this film is not about who won or who lost, it is about sacrifices, and the sacrifices of those who came to fight to defend their country and what they believed in. That was most prevalent in the film. I was incredibly touched by that aspect. Overall fantastic, fantastuc film. I'd recommend it for any time, anywhere - just not with children. I'd definitely watch this again many times in te future.
