The Flowers of War (2011)

      Yet another film on my “To See” list that I was forced to wait half a year to be released, The Flowers of War was well-worth the wait. The film is a fictionalized account of the brutal “Rape of Nanjing,” one of the most horrifying events to take place during WWII. Christian Bale stars as a drifter mortician who finds himself trapped in a Catholic convent with a flock of Chinese schoolgirls and 14 high-class prostitutes under his protection. Nothing but a wooden gate and a Red Cross separates safety from the war torn ruins outside. His self-absorbed behavior immediately tells us what will happen. His character arc from a callous drifter to guardian angel is predictable yet inspiring, and his performance seems to hark back to his debut in Steven Spielberg’s Empire of the Sun.

With a touch of Mitt Romney.

As you may have guessed by my reviews, I am a huge fan of the historical epic, especially when said epic takes place during a war. For that, The Flowers of War delivers on every level, all the way down to the supporting characters, including a Chinese soldier who quite frankly makes Rambo look like a sissy.

The critical reception has been less than positive, but,to be frank,  those film school dropouts don’t know anything.

      A large part of the criticism lies around the dramatic, stylized portrayal of the events. Which, as you may have guessed, I happen to enjoy. The story is approached more along the lines of classic Hollywood than the History Channel. The music is strong, the style is smooth, and the acting is dramatic. Yes, very Spielbergian. Steven Spielberg himself recommended Bale for the role, and encouraged Bale to take it.
I will also note that is a very intense film. The director does not go easy on the brutality that went on in Nanjing. The violence is bloody, graphic, and nonstop. And it does not just happen to random battlefield soldiers. Women and children, ones that we have begun to care about and feel sorry for, are the victims. If you want a full content advisory, and do not mind spoilers, you may find one here. A great story, great directing and some wonderful acting turn this into a tearjerker I highly recommend for those who have taken the warnings into consideration. Another fantastic hark back to old Hollywood, all while shedding some a light on a horrific part of history that has been forgotten, ignored, and even straight out denied. Yes, like Schindler’s List. Only more personal, due to it focusing on a small amount of characters isolated in a  confined space.

10/10