The War was a film that effectively portrayed the familial and economic struggles associated with the post traumatic stress disorder that many veterans procure. In defense of the movie, I resonated with the emotional situations the characters were put through, and felt that it was easy to understand what the directors intentions were for each scene. Although the movie received many harsh and critical reviews, if you strip away the symbolic over-analysis of the discerning phrase “The War”, viewers would be left with brilliant acting, perceptive casting , and vivid storytelling.
The movie was streamlined and had received a lot of attention during its time because of rising lead actors Kevin Costner and Elijah Wood, who were paired together as father and son. Mr. Wood played the role of Stu Simmons, an able-bodied young man who was determined to keep his family from tearing itself apart, Mr. Costner on the other hand was a worn down Vietnam veteran suffering from PTSD who gave his full efforts towards supporting his loved ones. The interactions between these two were genuine and heartfelt, and could bring the most stern of movie-goers to tears. The scripting that was behind many of these involved moments was magnificent especially for Elijah Wood, he even received praise from critics for example Roger Ebert stated that Mr. Wood: "has emerged, I believe, as the most talented actor, in his age group, in Hollywood history”. Kevin Costner as a person fit really well in this role of the movie, he was often emotionally detached but when it came to uplifting others he voice was warm and sincere. There was a significant scene during the first half of the movie that represents this change, in which the Simmons children’s nemesis the Lipnickis’ were picking a fight with Stu and his sister, Kevin Costner stopped the fight and brought the Lipnicki kids ice cream, baffled about what just occurred Stu Simmons asked his father why and he replied “…its fine, it don’t look like no ones been good the them in a long time…”.
Jon Avnet the director of The War had a pre-established career in the television industry before he filmed this movie in 1994. Although he wasn’t viewed as one of the most successful directors he still managed to assemble a divergent cast that consisted mostly of amateur teen actors and a few well know adults actors such as Kevin Costner. Latoya Chisholm played the witty young African American friend to Stu’s sister Lidia. Latoya was a 13 year old resident of Macon GA and had never been in a professional movie before, Jon Avnet took this into mind and placed her in a small yet significant role. Her role as best friend allowed her to present a new perspective to the audience and her unbiased opinion made it simple for scene shifts. Lewis Black who made his debut to the film industry as the middle Lipnicki sibling also had no proper acting experience and was scouted out by Jon Avnet, his natural southern accent and tough/bratty appearance made him the perfect candidate for his role as a bully for the movie. On the other hand Mare Winningham who played as Lois Simmons -the wife to Kevin Costner- had been in the film and music industry for several years. She plays an overall warm and supportive person to both the kids and her struggling husband. Her character is presented with several stressful and sad experiences including the death of her husband where in the scene Stu states:”I needed him more than you god, I needed him more”, and she comforts him by saying “Don't you know nothing would have kept him from you. He's just gone home.”. Her ability to show the true emotion of the scene while maintaining her composure to many could be considered flawless.
Throughout the movie each character is given an opportunity for their own monologue which helps clarify their perspective on the problems that currently trouble them. The audience is then able to see how each actors actions determine the direction the movie takes. The film is an allegory about love, death, pacifism, family values and the spiritual and physical wounds of Vietnam. There are many interpersonal hardships that the Simmons family struggles with in the movie. There is the battle with the fathers constant faltering employment status since his employers always seem to find out that he spent time in a metal hospital. There is also the Simmons children’s struggle over proving their might over the Lipnickis. Both of these conflicts hold metaphorical meaning in my eyes in which they bring up the question of what wars are really worth fighting?. Although there is a slight disconnect between these two symbolic interpretations the heart warming story of a family who is able to reunite through tough misfortunes holds this movies place in my list of great films.
The factors that determine whether or not a movie is good depends on the quality of acting, directing, and the overall clarity of the movies plot. This movie hits all of these points without forcing itself to do so, at the same time the story captivates the audience with heartfelt moments, and relatable situations. The stars of this movie also persuade the effects of insights by imposing their persuasive presence on screen. The many messages that the movie delivers are timeless and can teach even people of today what it means to stick alongside those that you love and love you back.