|
During the latter months of World War II, Lt. Tommy Hart (Colin Farrell), a law student from
Yale, is captured, tortured, and thrown into a German prison camp, where the U.S. prisoners of war are led by Col. McNamara (Bruce Willis). Rightfully suspicious that Hart
must have cracked under torture, McNamara bunks him in the crowded barracks # 27 for enlisted men, rather than with officers. Two black officers, Lt. Scott (Terence Howard)
and Lt. Archer (Vicellous Shannon) are thrown in with Hart, fanning a current of racism led by Sgt. Bedford (Cole Hauser). Caught with an obviously planted concealed weapon,
Archer is summarily executed. Not long after, Bedford is found murdered with Scott standing over the dead body. McNamara assigns Hart to defend Scott. In the process, Hart
Struggles against his privileged past and tries to prove himself a man of honor, worthy of his rank. He uncovers an unexpected twist of a plot forcing him to choose between
duty, his life, and his conscience.
It is the dead of winter, with the captivating music and excellent photography of snow-covered
earth and misty leafless trees setting the mood for the pain, pathos and drama about to unfold. For this is not just another war movie; it is a seamless weaving together of
wartime action and courtroom drama. The storyline is appealing and sensitive with a strong credible cast and their commendable performance. There is the unstoppable Willis in
yet another type of role as the down-to-earth authority figure with a strong sense of duty and the very natural moralistic but troubled L. Hart of Farrell, both enhancing the
film's worth and reality.
With the spate of loud, noisy horror and gross gory movies, Hart's War is like a refreshing wind.
It tackles issues of duty, honor, courage and truth—highly prized values, yet so difficult to uphold. Racism is also shown as unmistakably strong during the story's time of
writing. There comes a time in every man's life where he has to make hard choices, and as director Hoblit puts it: It was a challenge portraying men, all of whom are flawed,
but who—whatever their biases, whatever their world view—try to do the right thing. During these dark and trying times, where vested interests, corruption and injustice have
become commonplace and seemingly acceptable, let this movie touch and challenge those who have relegated honor and truth as things of the past.
(Date reviewed: April 12, 2002)
|
