By Keith Walther | Rose Law Group Reporter
“What’s so civil ‘bout war anyway?” A quote from a Guns N’ Roses song of the same name as this film, and it couldn’t be more apropos. “Civil War” shows the harsh reality of what a modern-day conflict would look like within America and happens to be released on April 12, exactly 163 years after the start of the real American Civil War. The visceral visuals and unnerving plot are an unapologetic punch to the gut that has viewers wide eyed in horror at the level of realism it conveys.
Set in the not-too-distant future of a dystopian America where the Western Forces of Texas and California have seceded from the United States, a small group of journalists embark on a dangerous journey towards Washington D.C. and the front lines of a brutal war. Lee (Kirsten Dunst) is a renowned photojournalist who has become desensitized and hardened from the horrific images she’s captured over the years. Traveling with her partner Joel (Wagner Moura), they allow an aging writer, Sammy (Stephen McKinley Henderson), and a young photographer, Jessie (Cailee Spaeny), to tag along.
Their goal is to get to D.C. to obtain a rare interview with the tyrannical President (Nick Offerman) before the rebel forces overtake the White House. Having to take a circuitous route to avoid hot zones, the unprepared team must navigate through the outskirts of deadly snipers and lawlessness, including a hair-raising moment with a psychopathically ethnocentric soldier (Jesse Plemons). Even if they don’t make it to their destination, this trip will leave them forever changed.
English writer/director Alex Garland is known for pushing the envelope and being bold like with his previous films “Ex Machina” and “Annihilation.” With “Civil War,” he takes that boldness to another level, masterfully executing a production that speaks volumes without being preachy. Garland purposefully centers the story around photojournalists, whose neutrality is unquestionable, and loyalty is only to capturing the best pictures to tell an unbiased story. He is very careful to avoid making any kind of political statement that sides one way or the other. In fact, the two states who have joined forces in the film are Texas and California, who couldn’t be further apart in political leanings. Garland did this to further establish a blurring of politics and that political differences can be set aside to contest an unconstitutional president responsible for killing American civilians.
In addition to writing a captivating plot, Garland implements outstanding filmmaking techniques that further enhance the story. Like some of the all-time great war films, “Saving Private Ryan” and “Black Hawk Down,” he utilizes in-your-face cinematography and sound to capture the ruthless essence of war, putting the audience squarely in the middle of intense fighting. There is a moment in the film when viewers are assaulted with a cacophony of gunfire, tanks, helicopters, and explosions that reverberate through their body making them not only see but hear and feel the horrors of war. There is no question the sound/sound editing will easily be an Oscar contender. Garland also includes a soundtrack that compliments the feeling of the film, setting the right tone.
Having a capable cast is not exactly necessary for this type of film, but it is an added bonus. Kirsten Dunst has come a long way since her breakout role in “Interview with the Vampire” in 1994 as a child actress. This is a highly talented actress who can hold her own in wide variety of roles. In “Civil War,” she believably wears a façade of calloused experience that slowly crumbles as the haunting images of the past and present chip away at her stoicism. She has the ability to bring the audience with her, feel what she feels, and break when she breaks.
Jesse Plemons is the real-life husband of Kirsten Dunst and is quite a talented actor in his own right as evidenced in films like “Game Night” and “The Irishman.” Both of them received their first and only Oscar nominations for their supporting performances in 2021’s “The Power of the Dog.” Jesse’s role in this film is very small but incredibly impactful. His performance creates one of the most memorable scenes, instilling an overwhelming sense of stress, panic, and terror in the audience.
Due to the current climate in America and it being an election year, this is an all too plausible scenario that hits home. “Civil War” will have you thinking about it long after it is over, which is the mark of a truly great motion picture. It punches harder in the theater, so be sure to view it on the big screen. Don’t be surprised to see this on Oscar’s list next year as a Best Picture nominee.
This movie earns:
polygon.com
