Starring: Andrew Garfield, Vince Vaughn, Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey, Hugo Weaving, Ryan Corr, Teresa Palmer, Richard Pyros, Rachel Griffiths
OUR RATING: ★★★½
Story: Bio-war drama directed by Mel Gibson which is based on the true story about US Army medic Desmond T. Doss (Andrew Garfield) was drafted into World War II. Raised a Seventh-day Adventist, he refused to kill or carry a weapon and, as such, became stationed as a medic.
In Okinawa during the bloodiest battle of WWII, Doss saved 75 men without firing or carrying a gun. He was the only American soldier in WWII to fight on the front lines without a weapon, as he believed that while the war was justified, killing was nevertheless wrong. As an army medic, he single-handedly evacuated the wounded from behind enemy lines, braved fire while tending to soldiers and was wounded by a grenade and hit by snipers. Doss was the first conscientious objector awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Verdict: Mel Gibson proves again that he is a masterful director, it may start off slow but it definitely gives one of the most realistic depictions of war action. Garfield gives an emotional and believable performance, as does pretty much every one of the supporting actors. The biggest complaint is that this movie is just a tad too long, otherwise it’s an intense and beautifully made movie.
REVIEWS
Best Quotes (Total Quotes: 18)
Colonel Stelzer: What the hell is your delay, Captain?
Captain Glover: We’re waiting, sir.
Colonel Stelzer: Waiting for what!
Captain Glover: Private Doss.
Colonel Stelzer: Who the hell is Private Doss?
Desmond T. Doss: [to Dorothy] I always dreamed about being a doctor, but I’m getting out of school. I can’t stay here while all of them go fight for me.
Tom Doss: Did you figure this war is just going to fit in with your ideas?
Desmond T. Doss: While everybody is taking life I’m going to be saving it, and that’s going to be my way to serve.
[to the soldiers; referring to the rifle]
Sergeant Howell: This is a personal gift from the United States government designed to bring death to the enemy.
Desmond T. Doss: I’m sorry, sergeant, I can’t touch a gun.
Captain Glover: You don’t kill?
Desmond T. Doss: No, sir.
Captain Glover: You know, quite a bit of killing does occur in war.
[to the other soldiers]
Sergeant Howell: Private Doss does not believe in violence. Do not look to him to save you on the battlefield.
Smitty Ryker: [to Doss] I don’t think this is a question of religion, I think this is cowardice.
Dorothy Schutte: [to Doss] I fell in love with you because I thought you were unlike anyone else.
Dorothy Schutte: They’re saying you could go to prison.
Desmond T. Doss: I don’t know how I’m going to live with myself if I don’t stay true to what I believe.
Dorothy Schutte: [to Doss] You better come home to me.
Desmond T. Doss: With the world so set on tearing itself apart, it don’t seem like such a bad thing to me to want to put a little bit of it back together.
Army Judge: Private Doss, you are free to run into the hellfire of battle without a single weapon to protect yourself.
[to a wounded soldier]
Desmond T. Doss: I’m going to get you home!
Soldier: [to Glover] There’s something you got to see.
[referring to all the patched up wounded soldiers in the army med tent]
Captain Glover: Who did this?
Soldier: Pass the carrot.
Captain Glover: [to Doss] We have to go back out tomorrow. The men aren’t going to go up there without you.
Captain Glover: Most of these men don’t believe the same way you do, but they believe so much in how much you believe.
Wounded Soldier: Help me.
Desmond T. Doss: You’ll have to trust me.
[Doss buries the wounded soldier under the dirt so as to hide him from the enemy soldiers]
Desmond T. Doss: Please Lord, help me get one more. Help me get one more.
Total Quotes: 18
Trailer:
This movie for sure gives Andrew Garfield a chance to steal our hearts. He’s amazing throughout the movie and has with this movie established himself as a promising actor with commendable talent. The movie is a piece looking into the war and how one person can make a difference in the critical times like war. It starts with a cute Andrew contemplating the horrors of violence and how Desmond builds his values of non-violence for his fellow human beings. The movie has a good touch of humor and the innocence of Desmond very well brought out by Andrew. Andrew has a subtle personality, which has given Desmond’s character a totally different dimension.
Andrew Garfield very well fits into the character and does fulfill the character in a way no other actor could have. The movie on its mid-way drifts away a bit, well but we can say – Mel Gibson, a job well done. Vince Vaughn (Sergeant Howell) was amazing with his humor and his acting has very well complimented everybody else’s efforts at putting in their best. How can Sam Worthington (Capt. Glover) be forgotten, he has always entertained us with amazing movies that will always be liked. Sam is good, adding another facet of excellence in acting.
Andrew carries the movie very well; his boyish charm makes us keep liking him throughout the movie. He has proved that he can play characters like Desmond Doss with amazing adeptness, just not to mention his talent was misused in Spider-Man. He was always made for characters like Desmond Doss, where he can display his ability as an actor and grow as an actor who can do justice to real life or more humanly characters. By playing Desmond Doss, he has proved that he can play characters like Desmond in a better way than super hero kinds. I personally have always liked Andrew and wanted him seen in more complex and challenging roles.
With Hacksaw Ridge, Andrew has come up to my expectations. We all like him for that and will always enjoy watching his movies. In this movie he has given us a chance to look at him with a different view point. Hacksaw Ridge has given him a chance to substantiate himself as an actor who can embrace characters that are more challenging and diverse in nature. He should keep looking at roles like these and sure will get to a point where he will be called an actor who plays diverse characters.
The movie for sure is an award winner, but much more is Andrew deserving an award. He has exhibited an aptitude worthy of being recognized and should be given what he deserves. I am sure that in future, he will continue to give us entertaining movies worthy of praise. With Hacksaw Ridge, he has gained a different level which will be looked upon with admiration.
Overall, the movie is amazing but I don’t know if worth an Oscar. Andrew Garfield has crawled into our minds and will always be looked forward to giving us performances filled with strength and power.