A One Mann’s Movies review of “Civil War” (2024).
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
In a near future America, we are pitched into a vicious civil war between the successionist states of Texas and California and the rest of the US run by a delusional President (Nick Offerman) who’s bullied his way into a third term. (Sound familiar?) Veteran photo-journalist Lee (Kirsten Dunst) and reporter Joel (Wagner Moura) are determined to interview the President in Washington before it’s too late. Tagging along are rookie photographer Jessie (Cailee Spaeny) and wisened old New York Times journalist Sammy (Stephen McKinley Henderson). Nothing can quite prepare them for what they will face in a road trip from hell.
Certification:
UK: 15; US: R. (From the BBFC web site: “Strong threat, bloody images, violence, language”.
Talent:
Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Nick Offerman, Jesse Plemons.
Directed by: Alex Garland.
Written by: Alex Garland.
Twitter Handle: #CivilWarMovie.
Running Time: 1h 49m.
Old pro protecting the next generation. Jessie (Cailey Spaeny) and Lee (Kirsten Dunst). (Source: A24).
“Civil War” Review:
Positives:
- I loved how we were pitched into the middle of the story as ‘observers’ rather than participants. “Civil War” could have made a great 20 part Netflix mini-series (and, who knows, still might!). But it would have taken 20 hours to tell the whole story. Instead, Garland sensibly pitches us into the middle of one particular chapter in that story. How did the Civil War start? (Who knows?) Who’s side should we be on? (Who Cares? The film is agressively non-partisan… just as the journalists featured need to remain).
- There are some shocking scenes of American-on-American violence and brutality that stay in the mind long after the film has finished. Unfortunately, it is quite easy to see how all of those angry and armed keyboard social-media-warriors in the US could – with a cause and unhindered ‘permission’ to use their weapons – sink to this level of depravity. It’s a work of fiction but feels chillingly close to the surface of reality.
- The trailer left me a bit cold about Kirsten Dunst’s performance but, fortunately, she is much better in the actual film. But the standout for me was Cailee Spaeny who, after Priscilla, is having a very strong year. Spaeny has the gift of looking about 17 years old and so fits this role well. When she tells Joel she is 23, my immediate reaction was “Oh, she’s just saying that to get taken along”. (Spaeny is actually 25 years old!)
- Jesse Plemons (the husband of Dunst of course) shows that you don’t need a big role in a movie to make a stunning impression. He is absolutely chilling as the soldier asking that classic line from the trailer… “What type of American?”. Dame Judi Dench still holds the record, I believe, for winning a Supporting Actress Oscar after being on screen in “Shakespeare in Love” for just 5m52s. I think Plemons is probably on screen just a tad longer (if I see it again, I’ll take a stopwatch!). But it wouldn’t surprise me if he got a Supporting Actor nomination for this brief cameo. He’s just pitch perfect.
- The soundtrack, by regular Alex Garland collaborators Geoff Barrow and Ben Salisbury, is startling. As well as having some fascinating orchestral cues, the film will suddenly blast songs at you at full volume at seemingly inappropriate times, jangling your nerves and generally putting you further on edge.
- The Chinook is my favourite aircraft. As we live near Salisbury Plain, they are often buzzing around the area and they make a magnificent noise. This film delivers the equivalent of Chinook porn in one sequence! Dozens of Chinooks and a deafening roar through the sound system. Loved it!
Negatives:
- The roles of Lee and Jessie in the film are clear: they take the pictures that are worth a thousand words. But it is unclear what Joel and indeed Sammy are doing there. They are presumably ‘reporters’. But they never seem to be taking any notes or phoning any reports back. It’s the same when Joel “gets a quote” at the end of the film: surely you would write it down, word for word? It really makes you question their presence and a few extra scenes slotting in around their characters would have helped.
Overcome by the horrors of war. Wagner Moura as a traumatised Joel. (Source: A24).
Summary Thoughts on “Civil War”
This is only Alex Garland’s fourth directorial outing. “Ex Machina” is one of my favourite films of all time; “Annihilation” had its moments; with “Men“, he rather came off the rails; but with “Civil War”, he really comes good again. It’s a road movie with a gritty and memorable set of vignettes that will stay in my mind for a long time. I was curiously reminded of the film “Twister”: while everyone is running away from the danger, here are four individuals running towards it.
Very much recommended. As the illustrious Mrs Movie Man commented, we found stuff to talk about regarding the film for the full half hour it took us to drive home afterwards…. and we can’t say that about many films we see. To get the full effects of the cinematography (Rob Hardy) and sound design (Glenn Freemantle), this is one your really should see at the cinema.
Where to Watch it (Powered by Justwatch)
Trailer for “Civil War”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDyQxtg0V2w .
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