Movie Review – Civil War

IS AMERICA READY FOR THIS?

Movie Review – Civil War

Review by Ray Schillaci

The largest scaled film to date for A24 will probably be the most controversial, Alex Garland’s Civil War. This is not an action blockbuster as some may think. No, this is from the mind of the man that gave us 28 Days Later and Ex Machina. This is the biggest and best film in this writer/director’s career. It’s also the bleakest, most divisive, unnerving and perhaps most important movie of the year in this hotbed of a political climate. A warning sign to the country not to ever let it get this far.

Garland’s POV takes the stance of the urban war journalist. Putting themselves outside of the horrors of the violence and merely reporting on it. They have no other life. They go from one tragedy to another capturing stories on camera. So, where some may find frustration with the film not pinpointing the cause of this new civil war or who we are suppose to side with, the writer/director has put you in the mind set of those reporters.

The vaguest notion we get as to what might have started it all is that in the very near future (like a side step way) the president is on his third term in office and it’s suggested there is some type of dystopian dictatorship taking place. Leaving some to question, is Garland suggesting a prophecy? A few states have retaliated and have fallen while California and Texas remain the stronghold. Am I the only one out there thinking that those two states are so far apart in their thinking and way of life could we actually see them on agreeing to something like this? A minor glitch to this otherwise riveting journey into hell.

Kirsten Dunst plays the well-worn Lee Smith, famed photojournalist who has seen far too much devastation in her life and is haunted by the images that she’s caught on camera in the past. Her latest job finds her caught up in a violent riot in New York city and saving a young female, amateur photographer from a car bombing. After the horrible incident we see Jessie, the girl she saved, taking pictures of Lee taking pictures of the aftermath.

Lee and her partner Joel confide in their mentor and veteran reporter, Sammy, regarding a trip to Washington D.C. and getting an interview with the president before the rebel factions break through. Sammy warns them against such a venture. He tells them not only is it a highly dangerous trek, trying to get onto the Whitehouse lawn would probably get them shot. He strongly suggests they join him on the frontlines in Charlottesville, Virginia. They decline, but they end up agreeing to take him to Charlottesville. Before they head off, Joel brings along an unlikely guest, Jessie. She reminds him of a younger version of Lee.

Lee is not happy and refuses any responsibility with her, only conceding to drop her off with Sammy and no further. It turns out, Jessie is a huge fan of Lee and wants to be just like her. Lee has no idea why anyone would look up to her let alone be like her. She knows what Jessie is in for, and doesn’t believe that she would have the stomach for it. As they go into America’s heart of darkness, Jessie becomes witness to some of the worst in humanity. Sickening violence, terrifying life-threatening situations, and the unsettlement of when there is a calm, anticipating what volatile act may follow.

A24’s advertising tag line for Civil War states “What kind of American are you?” This is echoed in a completely unnerving scene with Jesse Plemons as an unnamed militia character who asks this of several reporters at gunpoint. He knows they are press and he doesn’t care. He only cares about one thing – “What kind of Americans are they?” Which state is considered the enemy? We don’t even know. And, God help you if you’re not from this country.

This film will illicit anger, frustration, despair, but most of all Alex Garland’s Civil War will make you think how close we are to something so devastating and not so far from fiction. A craftsman displaying his finest work with an audacious production and first rate acting from the entire ensemble. The power of it all is only exemplified in IMAX

Visit Ray’s blog at themonsterinmyhead.com

Directed by: Alex Garland
Release Date: April 12, 2024
Run Time: 109 Minutes
Rated: R
Country: United States/United Kingdom
Distributor: A24