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About a decade ago, Mel Gibson suddenly changed from lovable action star and Oscar-winning director to some crazy, unpredictable late-night talk show punch line. But after spending some time seeking help before gradually returning to work, he now returns with his latest project behind the camera, Hacksaw Ridge.
This brutal war drama tells the true story of Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield), an earnest young man from a small Virginia town who decides to enlist as a medic during World War II. Because of his religious beliefs and his troubled family life, though, Desmond is a Conscientious Objector. He refuses to shoot—or even carry—a gun. But although his stance causes him to endure all kinds of abuse at the hands of his fellow soldiers, he’s eventually stationed in Okinawa, where he shows remarkable heroism on the battlefield.
As a director, Gibson has often turned to graphic violence to tell his stories—and Hacksaw Ridge is definitely no exception. If you’ve seen Apocalypto or The Passion of the Christ, you probably won’t be surprised by the grisly, stomach-turning violence of the battle scenes here. The combat sequences are fittingly disorienting and chaotic, placing viewers in the middle of the battle, witnessing all of the horrors of war.
But there’s more to the film than just the war. In fact, most of the film focuses on Desmond’s youth and training—on the root of his beliefs, his struggles with his abusive father (Hugo Weaving), his relationship with fiancée Dorothy (Teresa Palmer), and his conflicts with his fellow soldiers and his superiors. Even though it seems as if there’s still more to tell here, it takes quite a bit of time to develop the character and his story before heading off into battle for those striking war scenes.
Along the way, the journey is sometimes a little rocky—and, at times, it seems as erratic as its director’s legendary outbursts. This is especially the case when it comes to Vince Vaughn. He’s wildly hilarious as Desmond’s fast-talking sergeant, but he feels completely out of place—as though he were supposed to be in a different, funnier movie and ended up on the wrong set. Garfield’s Desmond has his issues, too. The character sometimes comes across as goofy and bumbling and a little too naive—and, again, perhaps a little more comical than he should be. But, fortunately, his strength and bravery shine through in the end.
Despite the rather uneven story—and some occasionally awkward performances—Hacksaw Ridge still tells an astonishing story of courage and compassion. But it doesn’t hold back. So if you’re heading out to see this incredible true story, brace yourself to experience the gruesome realities of war.
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