Hacksaw Ridge

"With the world so set on tearing itself apart, it don't seem like such a bad thing to me to want to put a little bit of it back together."

Filmology Rating: 3.13 out of 4

Hacksaw Ridge is based off the true story of Desmond T. Doss (Andrew Garfield). Desmond joins the army during WWII after coming to the conclusion that he can no longer sit ideally by and watch others join and die defending his country. He decides to enlist with one objection: that he will not touch a gun. Instead of taking lives, Desmond wishes to become a medic and save lives. This mentality brings on hardships that Desmond could have never imagined. However, through his courage and strength, he earned everyone’s trust and became a hero saving 75 lives without ever firing a single shot.

Have you ever been to a movie where once the movie is over and the credits start to roll in and you’re left there glued to your chair, sitting in silence, contemplating what you just saw? Well ladies and gentlemen…. this is that kind of a film. This is by far one of the most powerful movies that I have seen in a very long time. When thinking of classic war films, one might think of Saving Private Ryan, Platoon, Apocalypse Now, Hurt Locker, and many other countless films that have stood the test of time, well everyone, it’s time to add Hacksaw Ridge to that list.

To address the elephant in the room, yes this movie is directed by Mel Gibson. Yes Mel has a lot of person issues and demons that he has been fighting and has developed a reputation of being a little (or a lot) crazy. While I would not dispute that, one thing is for certain, the man is a genius when it comes to bringing powerful films to the big screen. He has directed and produced Braveheart, Apocalypto, Passion of the Christ, and then acted in countless other brilliant films. The man has talent people. Mel once again brings a powerful and extremely emotional movie that had me moved and in tears.

Now let’s talk about the story. Hacksaw Ridge is 2 hrs. and 20 min long which means it has a lot of time to build and grow a personality. This movie has two separate acts: Pre-Hacksaw Ridge and at Hacksaw Ridge (this was the location of where the battle was taking place). The beauty of these two acts is that each one of them could stand as a separate movie away from the other. Pre conflict was all about morality, standing up for what you believe, perseverance, and love. This to me could have been separate and still would have been a very good drama that would have had a lot to offer. Then we have a second act that only builds upon the first. When the action finally comes, it hits you like a brick wall. It is sudden and it is extremely intense. Mel Gibson, just like all of his other films, does not hold back and pull any punches. This was the most intense and graphic war violence we have seen since Saving Private Ryan’s D-Day sequence.

With a cast of Andrew Garfield, Teresa Palmer, Vince Vaughn, Hugo Weaving, and more, you know you should be in for a treat. Andrew Garfield was phenomenal. I feel like he is one of Hollywood’s most underrated talents. Yes he was a big name when he was Spiderman but he has also delivered some fantastic performances in the Social Network and 99 Homes. Yes he was good in the Spiderman films but he wasn’t really given chances to really shine. This was that moment for him and I hope that when award season rolls around, that he will be recognized for the work that he put into this film. Alongside him was a very talented cast that all did some great work. My real only flaw with the film is that the group of characters in the unit that Desmond Moss was stationed wasn’t as close as it could have been. They gave them several moments of humor and fun at the beginning but really never fully dove in to the emotional connection to these characters minus one that I won’t spoil. One of the reasons that Saving Private Ryan is in my opinion the best War film ever created, is not only for the amazing directing, and action scenes, but it is because of the chemistry and the close friendships that those men have with one another. When of them dies, you are devastated. This wasn’t nearly strong enough in Hacksaw Ridge. Yes you feel sad but not devastated. I feel this was a wasted opportunity that could’ve been so much better.

Having said that, what this film lacks in an overall group dynamic is compensated by one of the best individual war hero stories ever. I can’t recall a single other film where I was this emotionally connected to or rooting for them to survive than I was with Desmond Ross. Then to add to that, that this is based off a true story, it just makes it that much more powerful to see the pure amount of bravery that this man had. It was truly something amazing to see.

Hacksaw Ridge is a must see. I cannot stress that enough. I really do hope that come award season, this movie gets the recognition that it deserves.

Rating: See It 

-Nick