HACKSAW RIDGE

        Photos courtesy of Summit Entertainment and Cross Creek Pictures

A World War Two Army medic is a conscientious objector serving on the front lines in director Mel Gibson's HACKSAW RIDGE.  

Andrew Garfield is Desmond Doss, a Virginia native raised in a two-parent household, with a brother and abusive father.  Picking up some of his father's tendencies, Desmond nearly kills his brother when he strikes him with a brick as children.  The event is a tragic one, and one that shapes Desmond's view on violence.  

Years later, his brother Hal joins the Army to fight in World War Two.  Desmond, wanting to serve, joins the armed forces a medic, but refuses to be armed, sighting his religious beliefs.  His stance ruffles many feathers, particularly Sergeant Howell his no-nonsense superior played by Vince Vaughn and many of the men in his troop.

As a biographical war film based on a pacifist serving during the last World War, HACKSAW RIDGE arrives at just the right time. With starkly contrasting points of view from its lead character and his fellow serviceman, HACKSAW RIDGE proves that a pacifist cannot only assist during war time efforts, but can be an integral piece.  

Mixing messages of faith and peace in the midst of a war film is no easy task, particularly a film which depicts the violence in brutal, yet necessary terms. Gibson gives air to Ecclesiates chapter three, verse three, or if you're a Byrds fan, "Turn, Turn, Turn", showing that not only is their a time for war and peace, but it may be in the same instance.  Garfield plays Doss as slow-witted, but not dumb, optimistic, yet not naive and the reward is a truly unique individual that stands by his convictions, while allowing others to stand by theirs. 

It's a rare cinematic treat to watch two sides of the coin be displayed, not only respecting each point of view, but giving equal treatment. HACKSAW RIDGE's battle sequences are unique in their own right. With a wide variety of obstacles to overcome, from standard warfare to underground bunkers to a giant cliff to repel, the film recreates events with a clear understanding of the deadly encounters that US forces faced at Hacksaw Ridge.  

The film is an anomaly of sorts, and refreshing one at that.  A war time film that calls for both war and peace and the necessity of both. I highly recommend HACKSAW RIDGE with a B+.