Quick Cuts #9
An early look at Civil War, which gets released in cinemas globally starting today...
CIVIL WAR
Written and Directed by Alex Garland
Starring Kirstin Dunst, Nick Hofferman, and Wagner Moura
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"What kind of American are you?” asks a creepy, AR-15-toting soldier portrayed by actor Jessie Plemons.
It's hard to tell what he represents or who he stands for during one of the best scenes in “Civil War", but he has an extremely itchy trigger finger, and the unarmed journalists he's accosting don't. What followed had Hong Kong audience members momentarily giggling before being quickly shocked into silence.
The film is Alex Garland's latest (he's come a long way from The Beach), which he claims to have started writing during the pandemic. For those suckered by the title, yes, when the film begins it's clear that the US is at war with itself. Texas and California have formed what's known as "Western Forces”, and are quickly bearing down on a takeover of Washington, D.C.
Yet the reasons why aren't entirely clear. During one scene there is talk of an “Antifa massacre". At another point, dialogue indicates that the US President (portrayed by Nick Hofferman) has not only been running the country for over three terms but also disbanded the FBI while in office. That's about it. A terrorist bombing at the outset in New York City doesn't give any obvious reasons as to why, and throughout the film, soldiers on the battlefield go about their bloody business, without expressing any noticeable viewpoints.
Amongst the film's detractors — and they will be out there — the lack of overt reasons for the modern civil war will seem to signify Garland's reluctance to take a stand or have a point of view. He's created a topical plot device which he skirts around. Another scene or two explaining how and why the "WF” (cleverly branded with a two-star American flag) banded together would have been helpful to viewers.
However, there will be another school of thought that Garland isn't trying to present the nuts and bolts of such a war, but rather, how journalists and photojournalists react, capture, and present such events. Just as Hollywood has vaguely portrayed conflicts in other countries with journalists in starring roles (“Salvador", "The Year of Living Dangerously"), Garland has turned the lens inwards through the eyes of "Civil War's” four main characters: legendary, battle-hardened war photographer Lee (Kirsten Dunst), naive, hopeful photojournalist newbie Jessie (Cailie Spaeny in the movie's true breakout role), experienced and still ambitious journalist Joel (a standout turn by Wagner Moura), and Sammy ( Stephen McKinley Henderson), the seen-it-all veteran at the end of his career. Lee and Joel work for the news service Reuters. During early bar talk, Sammy reveals he works for The New York Times, or "what's left of it", he sighs.
Though Lee is reluctant to serve as a mentor to Jessie, the four ultimately band together under the auspices of heading to Washington, D.C. for a potential on-the-record interview with the President. During their journey, which sees them detour into Pennsylvania before heading south, there's little discourse about the war. Instead, they're focused on capturing the best shots during the skirmishes they encounter, sleeping when they can, and simply surviving. The "whys” of the war aren't what matters. It's the "get" — the capture of a story — that they want, though how they're ultimately filing in such a war-torn atmosphere is unclear. What's also notable are the arcs of both the veteran and the newbie. While Jessie is initially overwhelmed by the emotional toll of battle, she appears to thrive by the end. Conversely, Lee seems to have reached a tipping point, as if a career of capturing grim war images is finally catching up to her.
Visually, Garland pulls out all the stops with stunning sequences of troops assembling, grisly guerilla war battles, and the US capitol getting brutally annihilated. Nobody will be complaining about this look of war onscreen. The film's best feature may even be the sound, as each bullet round is like a punch to the gut. In addition, his production team blended sound collages with silence to create more of an observational POV — or that of a journalist. During pivotal and unlikely moments, tracks by 70s synth-punk act Suicide and hip-hop act De La Soul also permeate, adding a heavy (and at times cynically comical) nuance to what's taking place on-screen.
The film ends with a brutal thud, leaving all to sift through what has happened onscreen. Perhaps someone (even Garland himself) will venture to do a future mini-series, as the possibility exists. Otherwise, after "Civil War” is debated in the days, weeks, and months ahead, it's also certain to end up on many "Best of 2024” lists. It's got an uncomfortable visual impact that can't be denied, with plenty of scenes that will gain greater meaning with repeat viewings.
A look at the Wellfleet Drive-In Theater in Wellfleet, Massachusetts on a summer night. The theater first opened in 1957 and is the last of its kind in Cape Cod. It's also one of only 300 drive-in theaters still operating in the United States.
RATINGS GUIDE
How Do You Like Them Apples?
(out of five)
🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎 = Golden Delicious
🍎🍎🍎🍎= Honeycrisp
🍎🍎🍎= Granny Smith
🍎🍎= Esopus Spitzenburg
🍎= Rotten To The Core