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 Hart's
War
Starring: Colin Farrell, Bruce Willis, Terrence Dashon
Howard, Vicellous Reon Shannon and Cole Hauser
Directed by: Gregory Hoblit
Rated:R
Hart's
War has an excellent story, it's well acted, and thoroughly
engrossing.
Lieutenant
Hart (Colin Farrell) is a senator's son. As such, as the winter
of 1944 and WWII rages on around him he sits in an office, warm
and snug. Not his choice mind you...
Then
he nonchalantly offers to give a soldier a ride to camp a few
miles over. The two are ambushed; Hart survives, and is thrown
head first into his own version of the war.
First it's interrogation by ruthless Nazi's hell-bent on pumping
the handsome boy for secrets. Then it's a six day jog across the
German tundra with frozen, frostbitten feet that one has to assume
will not end at a fancy Hyatt with an open tab.
No.
Hart ends up at a stalag (German prisoner of war camp) filled
with fellow prisoners of war and one crusty smirky chap named
Colonel McNamara (Bruce "Smirkman" Willis).
For
the most part, McNamara runs the soldiers in this joint. He's
their commanding officer. Hart wiggles in, uncomfortably, but
feels this stalag, bleak, cold and unwelcoming, is certainly better
than death would have been.
The
happy-go-lucky (not) camp reallt takes a bitter turn when two
black Airforce officers join the stalag. The hostilities start
to boil over in murderous proportions. Remember it is 1944, take
the racism we face today and multiply it tenfold to get an idea
of how many of these folks thought.
The
Airforce officers, Lt. Archer (Vicellous Reon Shannon) and Lt.
Scott (Terrence Dashon Howard) are just trying to get along (no
ancient reference pun intended). But even in war bigots will be
bigots. So, the next thing you know one officer, Lt. Archer, is
dead
and the other, Lt. Scott, is on trial for murder.
Lt. Hart, an ex-Yale law student, is called upon to defend Lt.
Scott. Oh, we all know Scott's been framed in a heavy, fancy carved
mahogany elaborate frame, and it's going to take some hot-shot
maneuvers to get this fellow off the hook.
Nothing
is quite kosher at the ominous stalag. Even this Sgt Bedford (Cole
Hauser) fellow who's kind of the "bank" within the place.
That war prisoner guy that knows how to get things; cigarettes,
gum etc.. Sgt. Bedford also happens to be a first class card carrying
racist arse. There's no end to what this guy will do to make his
point clear, perhaps frame or even kill someone over their
skin's shade? Hmmmmm.
Then
there's the charming, fourth generation West Point, Colonel McNamara.
He's one suspicious character (of course it could just be Willis'
perpetual smirk that makes him look so shady). Could he be involved
in the frame up of Lt. Scott? Hmmmmm.
As
his stalag mates get to know Lt. Hart, they see he's not quite
as hoity- toity- blue- blood and suspenders as they have been
lead to believe. And together with Lt. Hart they're about to learn
a little about honor.
I
loved this. Okay, there are some "yeah, sure" points.
Top of the points, and higher then the peek of Lichtenstein's
castle, is the convenient fact that the Stalag Colonel went to
Yale (Hart's an alum), thusly, the story can move forward and
it's his personal enjoyment that allows him to permit the prisoners
(whom he despises) their little trial. The other is the survival
of semi-aristocrat boy turned soldier, Lt. Hart. I doubt this
young senate member in training ever had to hold his own at some
Outward Bound retreat for wayward boys, or played street football
yet, now in the midst of a barbaric winter during war, Mr. Lobster
Bib is able to hike six days on frost bitten sockless feet without
suffering death by pneumonia ? Begeesus! The kid would have had
a touch of the sniffles at least! Um, please Hollywood, pay attention
to these thing would ya? Finally, the moral clause within the
film, laid on like a inch think full butter layer of chocolate
cake frosting. They played the racist card so strong all it lacked
was an orchestra version of "To Sir With Love" softly
playing during flyer Scott's trial.
But, even with these small faux pas mixed in, Hart's War is still
one helluva war film!
 This
Colin Farrell fellow is truly like a multi würst platter
of yum! A true specimen of spectacular! Hunkasnaurus Rex Colin
is also Irish, accented and all and that little fact just makes
him all the more more edible. I think we'll be seeing a
lot more of this bloke, and that's no Blarney!
Terrence Dashon Howard reminded me of somebody…Benicio
Del Toro! They have the same eyes, nose and mouth structure.
It took me half the time the man was on screen to figure it out.
He, like his facial clone Del Toro, is intense and exact with
his delivery. Keep your eyes out for this new actor on the scene
folks!
Bruce
Willis is just adorable in military gear. He's not the lead
here as the poster would lead you to believe. Heck he's
not even the handsomest on the screen! But Bruce-a-la still oozes
movie star presence signature scene destroying smirk and all.
The
whole cast did a great job. If you're into war films get out and
see this. Gals, you suffered through Black
Hawk Down's bombardment of violence for "IT"
mansicle Josh Harnett, do the same and discover this Colin Farrell
fellow…but, be sure to let your date/mate/spouse think it
was their idea to pick the film though, thusly guaranteeing
a dinner of your choice. Thoughtful little you...(<-
evil giggle).
Snack
recommendation: Use the fore mentioned advise and pick a fine
dining establishment.
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