Mel Gibson’s latest movie, Hacksaw Ridge, is a brutal and hard look at the reality of war. The film is based on the true story of Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector, who joins up to train and practice as a battlefield medic. Since Doss doesn’t want to kill he becomes a target and his fellow troops single him out for ridicule and beatings during training. If this guy won’t kill they sure as hell do not want him watching their backs on the battlefield. The film takes a good look at Doss and his refusal to back down from his beliefs. Good thing he never gave up because during the Battle of Okinawa, which the film chronicles, Doss would go on to save many, many lives.
Andrew Garfield is good as Doss. You can’t dislike Garfield. The lad is a talented actor, no doubt. Yet, at times, I thought his acting was a bit over the top but never during the moments when his skills as an actor counted the most. Personally I found the supporting actors more natural throughout. Vince Vaughn, Luke Bracey and Sam Worthington are great as Doss’s fellow soldiers. Each coming to the understanding they are lucky to have Doss as part of the squad despite earlier being resentful towards him. Rachel Griffiths, Hugo Weaving and Teresa Palmer are all very good too in supporting roles. Palmer especially had me scratching my head in confusion as to why she’s not a big star.
Hacksaw Ridge is up there next to Saving Private Ryan in terms of quality and horror. When I say horror, sadly, I mean the horror humanity is more than capable of inflicting upon one another. Gibson doesn’t shy away from presenting the outright horror and violence of war. Nor should he as a filmmaker. In no way does Hacksaw Ridge glamorise war or heroics. It presents what happened and lets the audience come to their own conclusions. My own was having no doubt at all about Doss and his conviction. His actions during the Battle of Okinawa speak for themselves.
I can not stress enough how violent the film can be at times. If you are turned off by graphic gore then maybe don’t see this movie. Saying that, this is an important movie and has a good message at it’s centre. Not to mention a great cast and exceptional direction from Gibson.
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