Passchendaele
Director: Paul Gross
Year: 2008
Starring: Paul Gross, Caroline Dhavernas and Gil Bellows
The first thing that came to my mind when I first found out about this film, was the fact that World War 1 films are few and far between. Very few have been made, and very few are remembered. I was happy to finally see a film like this made, especially right here in Canada.
Written and directed, and starring veteran actor Paul Gross, the film, as the title suggests, revolves around the battle of Passchendaele in 1917. Interesting idea, considering that particular battle was one of the most grueling campaigns of the war. Considering that has never been portrayed on screen, it's interesting to see where it goes, and how Paul Gross decides to represent it. Unfortunately, all expectations are thrown out the window, as something completely different appears on screen.
The most disappointing thing about this film, is the fact that they give you the impression that this is going to be the World War 1 equivalent of Saving Private Ryan. The opening scene gets your attention as a couple Canadian soldiers are fighting in a town, not unlike the climax in Private Ryan. It's engaging, and actually very well shot, but it's over as quickly as it starts. That's it for the majority of the film, and Gross' character (who is largely based off of his own grandfather) doesn't return to the front lines for almost an hour and a half.
Instead, the film follows Gross' character as he returns to Canada, all while beginning a romantic relationship with the nurse that tended to his wounds. I have no problem with character development, and a plot like this, but it's all incredibly unnecessary. Romantic subplots don't belong in war movies, because that's not what it's about. It feels incredibly melodramatic when Gross' character returns to the front line, and Caroline Dhavernas re-enlists herself so she could be near Micheal Dunne (Paul Gross) on the front lines.
The film wastes a lot of time talking about the war, but not actually showing any of it. You actually forget sometimes that this is a war movie. The only redeeming quality this film has, are the battle scenes themselves.
The scenes that take place during the actual battle of Passendaele are above average, and are on par with many Hollywood war movies. The last 30 minutes or so (give or take) delivers what the film did in the opening scene, and then actually stretches it out a decent amount this time. The set pieces are fantastic, and the production value is very evident.
All in all, this film is sub-par at best, only because 2/3rds of it are basically filler. Paul Gross really does try, and I give him credit for that.
Instead, the film follows Gross' character as he returns to Canada, all while beginning a romantic relationship with the nurse that tended to his wounds. I have no problem with character development, and a plot like this, but it's all incredibly unnecessary. Romantic subplots don't belong in war movies, because that's not what it's about. It feels incredibly melodramatic when Gross' character returns to the front line, and Caroline Dhavernas re-enlists herself so she could be near Micheal Dunne (Paul Gross) on the front lines.
The film wastes a lot of time talking about the war, but not actually showing any of it. You actually forget sometimes that this is a war movie. The only redeeming quality this film has, are the battle scenes themselves.
The scenes that take place during the actual battle of Passendaele are above average, and are on par with many Hollywood war movies. The last 30 minutes or so (give or take) delivers what the film did in the opening scene, and then actually stretches it out a decent amount this time. The set pieces are fantastic, and the production value is very evident.
All in all, this film is sub-par at best, only because 2/3rds of it are basically filler. Paul Gross really does try, and I give him credit for that.
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