MOVIE - K-19 THE WIDOW MAKER - Review Rating $$$$$ $$$ (OUT OF 10)
STARRING HARRISON FORD, LIAM NEESON, PETER SARSGAARD & CHRISTIAN CAMARGO.
This film is based on the true events surrounding the 1961 launching of Russia's first nuclear ballistic submarine. An ill-fated vessel, the K-19, was pressed into service at the height of the Cold War. Politics and fate conspired to bring the superpowers to the brink of nuclear war.
If we forget to learn the lessons of history we are doomed to repeat them. As the Cold War mentality fades, from the consciousness of the populace, movies such as K-19 serve to remind us of the dire consequences of such a mindset. The timeliness of the movie is enhanced by recent events including the Pakistani/Indian border dispute, the September 11th attacks and the loss of the Russian Nuclear submarine, the Kursk. K-19 is a serious examination of this issue and has not been diluted beyond credibility in the the way The Sum of All Fears was.
There are several other themes at work in the movie as well. There is a less than subtle reminder that the Communist system was corrupt, inefficient and incompetent. Personal prestige, loyalty to the Motherland and honour collide as well. The issue of leadership style, paternalistic or uncompromising rigidity, are also a major focus of the film. It is interesting to see both Harrison Ford's character and Liam Neeson's evolve during this crisis. In this regard, K-19 does a better job than Road to Perdition, in exploring the complex yet still familial nature of relationships in a highly structured environment.
The performances of all concerned are well done. Harrison Ford's ability to be simultaneously understated and immensely intense defy explanation. In more than one scene, his body language, facial expression and the raging intensity in his eyes convey more than a thousand words. Neeson's portrayal of a demoted but loyal Executive Officer is equally convincing.
K-19 is not without its flaws. In many ways it does not measure up when compared to Das Boot. The difficulties of a submariner's life, imprisoned in a tin can for months on end, are not conveyed with the same authenticity as in Das Boot. K-19 is more realistic than the movie U-571 though.
A combination of length and the nature of the crisis, invisible nuclear radiation, overwhelm the intensity of the events at times. I found myself briefly restless two or three times during the film.
The inconsistencies, between the characters accents, english speaking actors portraying Russians who speak english with a Russian Accent was noticeable on more than one occasion. The most disconcerting aspect of the production, however, was the sound. I'm not sure if this was intended or originated with the theater I watched it in. But at various times what should have been crisp, loud repetitions of orders were drowned out by the musical score. Other dialogue was also nearly inaudible.
K-19 is not an action thriller. It is a serious and intense action orientated historical lesson and tribute to those who gave their lives to preserve ours. You owe it to yourself, and the survivors, to see K-19 and heed its warning.
Alternative Reviews:
http://www.suntimes.com/output/ebert1/wkp-news-k19f.html
http://www.rollingstone.com/mv_reviews/review.asp?mid=2044370
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/K19TheWidowmaker-1115600/
Official Website:
http://www.k19movie.com/
MY TOP 10 MOVIES OF 2002
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© Copyright
2003
David Schwartz.
Last update:
8/9/03; 11:05:23 PM.
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