Unbroken (2014)

** out of ****

I was really looking forward to this film, a bio-drama about an Olympic athlete interred in a Toyko POW camp during the latter part of WWII. Unfortunately, other than a few sequences it is dull, dreary and told in a most unoriginal manner. Adding to the disappointment is that it was written by the Coen brothers, whose films are usually very inspired.

Jack O'Connell plays Louis Zamperini, a long distance runner who had made a name for himself in the 1936 Olympics as a high school student. Coming from far back in the pack in the 5k run he finished just out of the medals and was the top American. He couldn't wait for the 1940 Tokyo Olympics, which were subsequently canceled due to the outbreak of war.

Louis becomes part of a flight crew doing bombing runs over Japan, and eventually his plane crashes into the Pacific. He and two other crew members survive the crash, and after spending nearly a month adrift at sea, during which one of their party succumbs to the elements, they are picked up by the Imperial Navy and delivered to the POW camp. It's here that the strength of Louis' character comes to the forefront, as the sadistic POW commander is bent on breaking his will and Louis is determined never to give in.

There are some good sequences in “Unbroken”, but the way the story is laid out we've seen it all before and done better. The portions of the movie taking place on the bomber are terribly predictable and overwrought, and the (very lengthy) part of the movie where they are adrift at sea is not only predictable but designed almost like a horror movie. The “jump” tactics of the sharks use in the movie are unnecessary and silly, and the whole sequence just goes on far too long. “All is Lost” (2013) did all the same things recently and did them much better. Finally, the last hour of the film taking place in the POW camp doesn't make the emotional connections that it tries to;  rather than being moved by Louis' strength, just watching what he goes through becomes an ordeal.

There is one major exception. There is a sequence involving a 2”x 10” plank that Louis is forced to hold over his head – drop it and be shot. This sequence is easily the best thing in the movie, and the one time you really get emotionally involved in the story. It's a shame this sequence is so short or that the director (Angelina Jolie) couldn't find that same note more frequently throughout.

The film isn't terrible, but it is a disappointment. So much more could have been done with this true story, if only it had found a way to reach the viewer's emotions rather than try to manipulate them.