The Way Back (B or 3/4 stars)
Peter Weir is a master director. Just look at his resume: Picnic at Hanging Rock, Gallipoli, The Year of Living Dangerously, Witness, Dead Poets Society, Fearless, The Truman Show, Master & Commander, and now ... 'The Way Back'; all quality films. The man has been nominated for 6 Oscars. And while he should probably be nominated again, it won't likely happen, here; thanks to the studio failing to market the film, at all. This film is an old-fashioned epic. And the feeling (in this movie-going era) is that the general public may not be into them anymore. That would be a shame; because it's one of my favorite film genres.
This movie is an 'inspired by true events' prison escape/survival in the wilderness epic. And the story begins in a deplorable Siberian gulag, circa 1940. Innocent & desperate ... Janusz (Jim Sturgess, of Across the Universe), a soulful young man with impressive survival skills assembles a fellowship of prisoners to escape with. Because WWII is raging, them fleeing to the West or the East is not a possibility - so they'd have to head south to 'free' India. Some members of this fellowship are innocent, some are guilty, but all of them are desperate to escape; all with their own motivations. This motley crew includes a combustible but crafty Russian, Valka (Colin Farrell), an American engineer named Mr. Smith (Ed Harris), a pair Poles (like Janusz), a Latvian, & a Yugoslav.
Though the 1st 1/2 hour is set in the gulag, they break out, & a bulk of the 135 min. follows these characters on a remarkably arduous journey that encompasses all forms of weather; from the subzero Siberian forests - to the never-ending Mongolian lands - to treacherous sandstorms - to the blistering (literally) heat of the Gobi Desert - to the obstinate Himalayas. Along the way, they encounter a straggler; a young female refugee (Saoirse Ronan) who joins up with them on their quest. Her joining them provides a bone of contention with some of the fellowship; especially Mr. Smith. But she's accepted nevertheless. The film tells us in the beginning: after 4,000 miles of trekking hostile terrain, only a handful of them make it to freedom in India. It's a 'survival of the fittest' story. But the movie's power comes from the broad, well acted characters, the friendships that are established, and a degree of suspense surrounding their outcome.
"If nature doesn't kill you, the locals will". That is the tagline for this movie. 'The Way Back' is mainly about human resilience. Where does the will to survive come from? Who are they desperate to return to (sons, daughters, wives)? Through starvation, injuries, illness, enemies, desperation, exhaustion, blizzards, heat, mosquitoes, frostbite, snakes, sand, wolves, rough-terrain, et al ... how & why these humans endure is an incredible thing to ponder. As mentioned, some fall by the wayside. Some disagree on plans. Some lose hope. But the fellowship keeps the hopeless ones going. And that's a very heartwarming thing to witness.
I really admire 'The Way Back'. The craftsmanship on display is magnificent. Russell Boyd's glorious landscape cinematography is so majestic that you'd swear it was aided by special effects (it's not). The outdoor sets are wondrous. Wendy Stite's costumes are incredibly authentic. The sound design in this movie will nearly blow you over (howling winds, swelling music, crippling topographical set pieces). And the make-up work is - probably - the most impressive aspect of the entire film. Never before have open wounds, scars, tattoos, scorched flesh, or grit-battered faces looked as impressive. There are 8 main characters of flesh & blood. But dammit if the topography & the make-up work weren't characters, themselves. Just incredible.
The performances are very good, across the board. Jim Sturgess is rock steady as our main protagonist; a man who just knows that he'll make it (and eventually back to his wife, who may or may not be alive in Poland). He may be young, but his unflinching spirit is the glue that keeps the fellowship together. Colin Farrell continues his string of impressive roles as the violent, knife-wielding Valka (great accent, too). Ed Harris brings a wonderful world weary feel to the group. He, like everyone in the fellowship, has hidden secrets that are ultimately exposed by the Saoirse Ronan character. And she, herself, is excellent, as always.
I have two issues with 'The Way Back'. Due to the nature of the trek, some major plot developments (throughout) get flimsy treatment. I would have appreciated more thorough detail & execution, at times. And my other issue is that there is no big emotional crest. The film has touching moments, moving moments, but given the INCREDIBLE story at hand - I should have been consumed by epic emotions in the end. I suppose I fault the writing for not making the characters more vivid. i.e., there's no Lawrence of Arabia or Scarlett O'Hara, here -- but enough of that. Peter Weir brought precision & passion to every scene. Though a brunt of this film has the characters walking & walking & walking ... I was always interested in what was going on or what was being said.
I've seen true greatness from Weir, but while I respect & appreciate 'The Way Back' so much - it's not one of his very best. Still, it should be seen on a big screen to behold the larger than life characters, their floundering morals, & some monumental filmmaking. We need more epics like this (or better)!
This movie is an 'inspired by true events' prison escape/survival in the wilderness epic. And the story begins in a deplorable Siberian gulag, circa 1940. Innocent & desperate ... Janusz (Jim Sturgess, of Across the Universe), a soulful young man with impressive survival skills assembles a fellowship of prisoners to escape with. Because WWII is raging, them fleeing to the West or the East is not a possibility - so they'd have to head south to 'free' India. Some members of this fellowship are innocent, some are guilty, but all of them are desperate to escape; all with their own motivations. This motley crew includes a combustible but crafty Russian, Valka (Colin Farrell), an American engineer named Mr. Smith (Ed Harris), a pair Poles (like Janusz), a Latvian, & a Yugoslav.
Though the 1st 1/2 hour is set in the gulag, they break out, & a bulk of the 135 min. follows these characters on a remarkably arduous journey that encompasses all forms of weather; from the subzero Siberian forests - to the never-ending Mongolian lands - to treacherous sandstorms - to the blistering (literally) heat of the Gobi Desert - to the obstinate Himalayas. Along the way, they encounter a straggler; a young female refugee (Saoirse Ronan) who joins up with them on their quest. Her joining them provides a bone of contention with some of the fellowship; especially Mr. Smith. But she's accepted nevertheless. The film tells us in the beginning: after 4,000 miles of trekking hostile terrain, only a handful of them make it to freedom in India. It's a 'survival of the fittest' story. But the movie's power comes from the broad, well acted characters, the friendships that are established, and a degree of suspense surrounding their outcome.
"If nature doesn't kill you, the locals will". That is the tagline for this movie. 'The Way Back' is mainly about human resilience. Where does the will to survive come from? Who are they desperate to return to (sons, daughters, wives)? Through starvation, injuries, illness, enemies, desperation, exhaustion, blizzards, heat, mosquitoes, frostbite, snakes, sand, wolves, rough-terrain, et al ... how & why these humans endure is an incredible thing to ponder. As mentioned, some fall by the wayside. Some disagree on plans. Some lose hope. But the fellowship keeps the hopeless ones going. And that's a very heartwarming thing to witness.
I really admire 'The Way Back'. The craftsmanship on display is magnificent. Russell Boyd's glorious landscape cinematography is so majestic that you'd swear it was aided by special effects (it's not). The outdoor sets are wondrous. Wendy Stite's costumes are incredibly authentic. The sound design in this movie will nearly blow you over (howling winds, swelling music, crippling topographical set pieces). And the make-up work is - probably - the most impressive aspect of the entire film. Never before have open wounds, scars, tattoos, scorched flesh, or grit-battered faces looked as impressive. There are 8 main characters of flesh & blood. But dammit if the topography & the make-up work weren't characters, themselves. Just incredible.
The performances are very good, across the board. Jim Sturgess is rock steady as our main protagonist; a man who just knows that he'll make it (and eventually back to his wife, who may or may not be alive in Poland). He may be young, but his unflinching spirit is the glue that keeps the fellowship together. Colin Farrell continues his string of impressive roles as the violent, knife-wielding Valka (great accent, too). Ed Harris brings a wonderful world weary feel to the group. He, like everyone in the fellowship, has hidden secrets that are ultimately exposed by the Saoirse Ronan character. And she, herself, is excellent, as always.
I have two issues with 'The Way Back'. Due to the nature of the trek, some major plot developments (throughout) get flimsy treatment. I would have appreciated more thorough detail & execution, at times. And my other issue is that there is no big emotional crest. The film has touching moments, moving moments, but given the INCREDIBLE story at hand - I should have been consumed by epic emotions in the end. I suppose I fault the writing for not making the characters more vivid. i.e., there's no Lawrence of Arabia or Scarlett O'Hara, here -- but enough of that. Peter Weir brought precision & passion to every scene. Though a brunt of this film has the characters walking & walking & walking ... I was always interested in what was going on or what was being said.
I've seen true greatness from Weir, but while I respect & appreciate 'The Way Back' so much - it's not one of his very best. Still, it should be seen on a big screen to behold the larger than life characters, their floundering morals, & some monumental filmmaking. We need more epics like this (or better)!