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Most of the news surrounding “Lone Survivor,” a fact-based war film adapted from Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell’s book, has been inflammatory. While promoting the movie, Mark Wahlberg, who portrays Luttrell, lashed out at Tom Cruise for comparing acting to fighting in Afghanistan. Upon the film’s release, critics who disliked it were slammed with “anti-American” insults. And just last week, a texter in one of the film’s screenings was shot to death.
This all may be coincidental, but it’s not quite unrelated. “Lone Survivor” seems to have inspired the type of ostensibly patriotic, but fundamentally ugly, actions that reflect some of the worst aspects of Americans. Set in 2005, Luttrell’s story focuses on the failed Operation Red Wings mission, wherein he and three other SEALs were caught in a grisly firefight with Taliban soldiers. Unfolding in the woods of Afghan mountains, the movie, directed by Peter Berg, is among the most violent I’ve ever seen, ripping Wahlberg and company to shreds until only the title character walks out alive.
As a study of what the human body can withstand, “Lone Survivor,” however excruciating to watch, is at least fascinating. But as a political statement, it’s an evidently dangerous piece of work, promoting jingoism and a certain militaristic mentality that yields more hate than it does pride in brotherhood or heroism.
It’s one thing to acknowledge America as a democratic superpower, and the Taliban as fierce extremists from whom folks should protect themselves. It’s quite another to choose, as a filmmaker, to have your first shot of the antagonist involve his conducting of a beheading, and the declaration of him as “the bad guy.” There is no shading here, no exploration of anything beyond the stereotypical, bro-ish psyche of the U.S. male soldier. Furthermore, Berg ultimately dishonors these SEALs by making them part of a masochistic display, which, again, is less politically honorable as it is superficially volatile.
If only “Lone Survivor” had taken a cue from “Captain Phillips,” which also dealt with Americans facing down foreign terrorists, but found a balance between bravery and bloodsport.
Lone Survivor
R
Two reels out of four
Now playing at area theaters
Recommended Rental
Blue Jasmine
PG-13
Available Tuesday
Soon-to-be Best Actress winner Cate Blanchett gives the performance of her career in Woody Allen’s “Blue Jasmine,” a tragicomedy that sees the Aussie knockout play a riches-to-rags basket case. Set in New York and San Francisco, the film is both a relevant economic commentary and a throwback to works like “A Streetcar Named Desire,” wherein the antiheroine is the instrument of her own doom. Sharply scripted and superbly acted, it’s a pre-Oscar must-see.
Contact the South Philly Review at editor@southphillyreview.com.
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