Hope and Glory (1987)
Director: John Boorman
Watched: May 22, 2018
Rating: 6/10
Reminded me a little of "A Christmas Story". How? Both are semi-autobiographical, tenaciously adhered to young boy's point of view, funny vignettes (this one covers far more serious material, of course), school shenanigans, dream or fantasy sequences, adult version of the protagonist does a voice-over (thankfully Boorman does it less frequently). Best aspect of this film is its unique perspective on the Blitz during World War II. Important historical period that has been covered many times before, but rarely a ten-year-old boy's interpretation.
Some things we see are things everyone around Bill likewise experienced. The frequent air sirens, the stressful air raids, family members coming and going in wartime, managing ration books, military balls, the excitement of a rogue barrage balloon, the thrill of a German pilot landing in their backyard.
Some things, not so much. Swearing as initiation into boy's club. Collecting shrapnel. Playing with toy soldiers later melted in a random fire. A boy's fort stash full of bullets and bomb pieces. "German" preserves his mother is afraid are poisoned. Reciting multiplication tables while waiting for an air raid to finish.
A large part of the story is also a typical coming-of-age story, which occurs with or without war. His father teaching him a special trick throw. Bribing a girl to see her vagina. Tossing rocks at his sister and lover when he catches them having sex because he does not understand. Observing perplexedly as his older sister and mother fight and reconcile in the same moment. Watching his mother consider infidelity (that he understood exactly what he was seeing at the time is doubtful, however), but ultimately reach a sort of contentment in her marriage. Seeing his capricious sister finally get married. Entertaining his tetchy grandfather. Interestingly, no love interest at all.
Cinematography and loyal time period production design were two other things this film had going for it. Wide angle shots on particular.
My concern is that most of the characters seemed unrealistically complacent if not glad on a daily basis, moving right along with their lives. Even during tragedy we see minimal grieving. That being said, Boorman was clearly going for a child's point of view and it is possible that this is he saw things; psychology gives evidence of this- not only at the time of events but also in later years through repression. A sugar-coated but accurately representative time period. The acting, as far as the adults went, was also not very impressive in my opinion. Sarah Miles in particular (who has been single out with praise) I found to have acted pretty poorly; especially in scenes where her emotions were improbably exaggerated.
A fresh and funny take on the Blitz, though from its unique child's viewpoint, inevitably limited in its scope and realism. Though still an entertaining history lesson! #FilmReview #GoldenGlobesBestPicture
Reminded me a little of "A Christmas Story". How? Both are semi-autobiographical, tenaciously adhered to young boy's point of view, funny vignettes (this one covers far more serious material, of course), school shenanigans, dream or fantasy sequences, adult version of the protagonist does a voice-over (thankfully Boorman does it less frequently). Best aspect of this film is its unique perspective on the Blitz during World War II. Important historical period that has been covered many times before, but rarely a ten-year-old boy's interpretation.
Some things we see are things everyone around Bill likewise experienced. The frequent air sirens, the stressful air raids, family members coming and going in wartime, managing ration books, military balls, the excitement of a rogue barrage balloon, the thrill of a German pilot landing in their backyard.
Some things, not so much. Swearing as initiation into boy's club. Collecting shrapnel. Playing with toy soldiers later melted in a random fire. A boy's fort stash full of bullets and bomb pieces. "German" preserves his mother is afraid are poisoned. Reciting multiplication tables while waiting for an air raid to finish.
A large part of the story is also a typical coming-of-age story, which occurs with or without war. His father teaching him a special trick throw. Bribing a girl to see her vagina. Tossing rocks at his sister and lover when he catches them having sex because he does not understand. Observing perplexedly as his older sister and mother fight and reconcile in the same moment. Watching his mother consider infidelity (that he understood exactly what he was seeing at the time is doubtful, however), but ultimately reach a sort of contentment in her marriage. Seeing his capricious sister finally get married. Entertaining his tetchy grandfather. Interestingly, no love interest at all.
Cinematography and loyal time period production design were two other things this film had going for it. Wide angle shots on particular.
My concern is that most of the characters seemed unrealistically complacent if not glad on a daily basis, moving right along with their lives. Even during tragedy we see minimal grieving. That being said, Boorman was clearly going for a child's point of view and it is possible that this is he saw things; psychology gives evidence of this- not only at the time of events but also in later years through repression. A sugar-coated but accurately representative time period. The acting, as far as the adults went, was also not very impressive in my opinion. Sarah Miles in particular (who has been single out with praise) I found to have acted pretty poorly; especially in scenes where her emotions were improbably exaggerated.
A fresh and funny take on the Blitz, though from its unique child's viewpoint, inevitably limited in its scope and realism. Though still an entertaining history lesson! #FilmReview #GoldenGlobesBestPicture