Live From Baghdad
Live From Baghdad
HBO
12-9-02
Live from baghdad is another product of a seemingly unstoppable HBO. When I compare the films hbo makes to those of other channels (*cough* lifetime *cough*), I just cringe. They actually make good movies. Perhaps due to their loosened restrictions, or perhaps because they just have more guaranteed money, but they just put out intelligent and worthy films (like RKO 281). bah, enough drooling from me. obvious to none, I just got digital cable, and I'm loving it.
This movie is set in the early 90's, and tells the story of the last days before the gulf war (kuwait, sadaam) through the eyes of the reporters from cnn who were there. Leading this cast of kinda-knowns, is micheal keaton as the Wiener, and assiting him is helena bonham carter as Ingrid. Along with these two, there is a sprinkle of "hey, he looks familiar" actors which you'll recognize. Each of them plays a seperate member of the cnn team, playing out the roles as they appeared in the original book.
This could have devolved into propaganda, or sap. But, each narrative step was made with what I will call "carefulness", and the source material seems to come from a fairly grounded intellect. It doesn't dumb down, and it doesn't preach much. This is a big subject, and that's hard to do.
Ok, so this movie is really not about the iraq conflict. It's about the personal relationships and responsibilities. Who is responsible when a television report causes harm? Can two men prevent anything? The conflict is only a backdrop to explore issues. Ok, maybe it also gives a humorous and enligtening background into television news tactics (the rivalries are particulalry funny). But, it's never betrays its subject matter to soak in the scenery.
So the movie was good. The actors all did well when they were acting, but they sometimes got bogged down by their attempts at imitation. Since these people are alive, there was inherantly a desire to fully become their characters, but sometimes (as with the "crazy reporter"), the portrait becomes a funny family story rather than an honest portrayal. But, aside from these moments, keaton and carter do suprisingly good jobs fleshing out their characters' desires and motivations, and all the supporting cast provides a very good backing.
And there's the big scene. This isn't a spoiler, as everyone knows that we went to war with iraq, but it's still a surprise when it happens. The skies light up with tracers from machine gun fire. I don't know why, but watching the attack on baghdad, I was actually in awe. Maybe it's because I was the grainy images on cnn a long time ago, and this new view is just stunning. The chaos and the ironical art of the gunfire and explosions are deftly put on screen. I applaud the special effects team, and whoever got this up there. This scene is not just good television, it's good film.
Perhaps that's it. This movie doesn't pretend it's an extended television show that needs to grab the view before every commercial break. It's an actual piece of cinema, with good actors, a good script, and a good execution. CBS, ABC, NBC, they all need to take lessons from this. Make good movies, and people will watch. If I see another hackneyed "straight from the headlines" production, I'm gonna puke. Childish statement, yes; but true. Headlines are sensational to grab and idiot's attention. Good stories, when found, are worth the wait.
I give it 3 out of 4.
and for those who don't have HBO, I'm sure it'll come out on video in the near future. give it a rent when you can. |
