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| Movie Review: Defiance Alternate Title: The Fabulous Bielski Boys
Story: I am my brother's keeper,
and my sister's, neighbor and friend. This uplifting true story of survival
by director Edward Zwick tells a tale of bravery and
determination against insurmountable odds. It is refreshing to see a
film about WWII where the Jews are not solely helpless victims. This
film answers some of those questions about whether any Jews fought back.
Yes, they did. In a screenplay
by Edward Zwick and Clay Frohman (Source
Material - Nechama Tec) we meet the Bielski
Brothers in 1941, Belarus. They were ordinary farmers, and
it is inferred, smugglers, who rose to extraordinary human heights by
spending over three years in the forests evading the Nazi army. They
took in everyone they could find, fed them, protected them, taught them
how to survive and by the end of their struggle when they left the forest,
there were over 1200 of them. The story is heartfelt, well choreographed, if
at times, too predictable. While the film is flawed, the underlying
idea of triumph over adversity will lift your spirits and worth your
time. Watch the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIO8OI0JP50 Acting: I would follow Daniel Craig
as Tuvia Bielski into any forest anytime, anywhere. Daniel Craig is
on my top five list and can do no wrong. Liev Schreiber
as Zus Bielski has a good meaty part as the conflicted brother.Jamie
Bell as Asael Bielski is growing up to be a fine actor. Little
Aron Bielski, played by George Mackay was sweet. The
fine supporting cast was stellar al around.
Trivia: Director Ed Zwick went to
Harvard and has directed 4 actors in Oscar nominated roles; Djimon Hounsou,
Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, and Denzel Washington. Denzel won his
Oscar. Daniel Craig has also played a Jew in Munich
and Fateless. Jamie Bell was chosen out of 2000 boys
to play "Billy Elliot." Liev Schreiber grew
up in Lower East Side New York. Graduated from Friends Seminary High
School in Manhattan. He attended London's Royal Academy of Dramatic
Art, Hampshire College and graduated from Yale.
Predilection: I like Daniel Craig
Critters: Lots of livestock and a horse and a dog
that become part of the 'food' category below.
Food: The above horse and dog, potatoes, potatoes
and more potatoes.
Sex Spectrum: Sex is supposed to be forbidden because
they did not want any babies - but guess what? Sex happens.
Soundtrack: Soaring
Opening Titles: A grainy, file footage background
showing you the location, date and events leading up to the story. Be
sure to stick around to see the 'what happened to them' photos before
the credits.
Visual Art: There are some beautiful photo essays
of the woods. Sadly the nightmares that took place in these woods ruins
all that beauty.
Theater Audience: Saw it in the Ziegfield Theater
on opening day, first show. It had many people but the theater is so
big it looked empty.
Weather: Winters in Belarus are tough. Brrrrrr. FYI
- my family left that area and came to the US many years ago.
Drift Factor: It definitely needed some editing.
Predictability Level: I was not sure how those fabulous
brothers were going to be at the end of the film.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: No - although the music was beautiful.
Big Screen or Rental: Big screen. For some other films
by director Ed Zwick you can rent: Blood Diamond, The Siege, The Last
Samurai, I am Sam, Legends of the Fall, Leaving Normal, Courage Under
Fire, Glory and About Last Night.
Length: A bit overt two hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 7.5 |