Go rent Rescue Dawn. The film is a soild account of a US Fighter pilot's struggle to survive after being shot down on a top-secret mission over Laos. Dieter Dengler, played by Christian Bale, is a German whose dream it was to become an American pilot.
The hot, sticky film is no Platoon. In fact, the green jungle, and uncomfortable realism is about all this and other Vietnam films have in common. Writer and Director Werner Herzog put together a much more subtle and sophisticated yet grungy film. Of course there's gunfire and blood and screaming, but it's scarce, and in turn, kicks you in the face harder when it happens. Half the movie is the plan to escape, building the anticipation. I won't steal anymore of the film's thunder.
Sure, The Dark Night has me on a Christian Bale kick right now. But just like the second Chris Nolan Batman installment, although Bale's performance is potent, his supporting cast delivers more flavor. (Ledger's single lip-smacking, ass-kicking, goosebump-inducing performance as the Joker deserves a posthumous lifetime achievement award on its own. And then Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman - nuff said). In Dawn, Dengler's partner in crime is played by Steve Zahn. Forget everything you know about the kooky best buddy. He's hilarious in Saving Silverman (him and Jack Black are the only reason to see that film), and he's alright in Sahara, but I'm convinced the lack of a big studio is the only reason he didn't snag an Oscar for this role. Steve Zahn gritty performance has you believing he was transported out of some Vietnam prisoner camp for the filming.
Nuff said. See this movie.
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