Rescue Dawn (2007)
Director: Werner Herzog
Writer: Werner Herzog
Starring: Christian Bale, Steve Zahn, Jeremy Davies
Language: English
Runtime: 125 Minutes
Age Rating: 15
Genre: Drama, War
Reviewed by Ross Miller
What should a good movie have? Action? Comedy? Drama? Perfect runtime? Amazing performances? Well Rescue Dawn has all of the mentioned things and so much more resulting in arguably the best film of the year.
The film tells the story of Dieter Dengler, a US fighter pilot who gets shots down over Laos during the Vietnam war. As he is captured and held prisoner he struggles to survive along with some other POW’s.
It comes as no surprise that the central performance by Bale is just outstanding and as good as everything else in the film he is he is arguably the stand-out thing about it. Bale is one of, if not, the greatest actors of his generation and Rescue Dawn just adds to his ever impressive tower of tremendous performances. This is an actor who does his own stunts (at least in this film), films all of the difficult scenes himself (in particular the torture ones here) and puts his body through rapid weight loss/gain and a physical hell that most actors would flat out refuse to do. Any one of you who has seen the verging on dangerous commitment he gave to The Machinist will know exactly what I’m talking about. Something else notable about Bale is his willingness to try new and different roles as he does with Rescue Dawn. The role of Dieter Dangler was a tough role for even Bale to take on but he more than pulls it off which only reinforces that he is one of Hollywood’s most versatile actors.
As highly as I have praised Bale I must not neglect to mention the quality of performances from his co-stars. Most notably Steve Zahn, in a role I would never have imagined him playing or pulling off in a million years. To be fair that is down to the fact he is usually only cast in side-kick, comedic roles such as in Daddy Day Care. But here he is one of the surprise performers of the movie year so far and after this I can only hope we see some of the talent he clearly has used more frequently. Having said that he manages to bring his comedic talent to even such an all-round serious film as this. Although the film isn’t a comedy at all, he still manages to inject some humour here and there to allow for some relief from all the pain and suffering happening on-screen. It may sound a bit iffy but it works greatly in the films favour.
The other co-star of the film is played by Jeremy Davies (who you may remember from Saving Private Ryan). He provides the quirky, off-beat and strange character to the mix which again surprisingly works very well. All of these three actors are perfect for the roles they play, something you wouldn’t expect when just looking at the cast list.
Despite its serious subject and tale of hope and survival the movie is surprisingly light-hearted, but in a way that works for the film rather than against it. It has several moments throughout, at pretty much equal pacing, where something happens that just brings a small smile to your face. It’s hard to describe the way it feels but you’ll know exactly what I mean if you see it. This adds to the sense of realism that the film has; even in the most dyer of situations there is a kind of hopeful humour to be found and that’s exactly what it’s like in Rescue Dawn.
What makes the film most enjoyable, and what will undoubtedly please general “not in the know” audiences, is the intensity of it all. There is not a moment without it, from the plane crash towards the start to the capturing and imprisonment of Dieter, from the quiet planning between the prisoners to the escape attempt; the whole film is monumentally thrilling.
Another aspect that is completely enjoyable about the film is the cinematography. Even though most of the film consists of dirty water and wet jungle it still provides a beautiful setting to look at. The green of the jungle almost provides a sense of hope for the prisoners and the viewer contrasting the dreary and hopeless setting of the POW camp. Again just another quality aspect which adds to an already quality film.
If I had a complaint with the film, and it is a very minor one at that, it would be the very end. Although it is what the viewer wants to see (in a general sort of way) it felt just a tad overplayed (and that may not even be the right way to describe it as I am still unsure about it). But I am leaning in close and nit-picking at a pretty much tremendous film.
Although Rescue Dawn isn’t my favourite film of the year it is arguably the best. It is a film, so close to being five stars that I am almost tempted to go ahead and give it that. But for some reason I feel restricted from doing so. Everyone involved in this film should be extremely proud of providing quality rarely seen in cinema these days.
