Here it is, then, the final review for my inaugural write/off. I’m sure you all know the drill by now: those who agreed to take part review a film featuring an early appearance by an actor/actress who has since set the box-office alight time after time, or had a pop at one of Hollywood’s former elite who’ll appear in any old shite in order to remind people that they’re still alive.

But with this third contribution I’ve decided to take the liberty of altering the criteria of this write/off a little. The film reviewed here - Tigerland - features the relatively early work of an actor who in my humble opinion should, and most probably will, be part of the A-list in the near future. It's prediction time folks and although I've hardly stuck my neck on the line (the actor in question has already worked with Spielberg, for heaven's sake), stardom is all but assured.

So without further ado, because I’m sure I’ve bored you all plenty with my other two additions to this write/off, on with the spiel.

THE PLOT
September, 1971. A platoon of recruits arrives in Fort Polk, Louisiana, for infantry training before leaving for the Vietnam War. Their final weeks training forces them into a gruelling, simulation-esque combat zone known simply as “Tigerland”. There’s unrest in the camp: the Army regulars have seen combat, and are all too aware the war is being lost. Enter Roland Bozz (Colin Farrell) a cocky and stubborn rebel who is drafted into the action after quitting college. Sharp in mind but lacking in discipline, Bozz teams up with a newly made friend, Jim Paxton (Matthew Davis) – who takes to keeping a detailed diary of events at the camp - and learns how to play the system, violating orders as best he can and prepared to face up to the numerous consequences he must face.

But to what ends? While becoming something of an idol to his peers he succeeds only in maddening his superiors, without any personal gain to himself, instead doing the best he can to enable his fellow infantrymen avoid being sent into combat. But despite his rebellious nature, it becomes obvious to the drill staff that Bozz possesses all the skills and raw intelligence of a true leader.

THE VERDICT
Hands up who wants to see another ‘Nam flick? Hands up who wants to see a Joel Schumacher flick? Hands up (and you know where I’m going with this) who wants to see a ‘Nam flick directed by Joel Schumacher? Not many of you, right? Don’t blame you, after the likes of Batman And Robin, and Flawless surely only someone who had been vigorously thrashed about the cranium with no less than a dozen baseball bats could have been anticipating such a project.

Well tickle my septum with a cockatiel feather if you’re not surprised by the diversity and excellence of this sleeper hit of 2000. Surprised, why? Because not only is Tigerland brave enough to try something new, pulling of its own ambition with aplomb, but it also uncovers what many possibly be one of the best young actors for many a year to come.

Like the majority of war flicks - specifically Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket -, Tigerland begins with basic training and follows the exploits of young recruits through the rigors of combat schooling. So far so ordinary. The twist here being that the film never actually gets out of the boot camp, instead focusing on the turmoil and human torture that takes place is in the minds and hearts of those preparing themselves for the war. And the picture painted is a far bleaker and soul-destroying experience than you could possible imagine, perhaps more so than war itself.

For the most part, Tigerland is a battle of wits, as drill sergeants clashing with young recruits and attempt to break down their morality. Schumacher does a great job depicting the absurdity and futility of war without even attempting to spell it out for us. The jerkiness of the hand-held camera (with due credit to Matthew Libatique’s awe-inspiring cinematography) gives Tigerland a rough documentary feel that both builds and creates the primitive authenticity, his understanding of the source material – based on co-scripters Ross Klavan’s real-life experiences – is truly astounding, forgoing his usually overblown budget and production designs in favour of the basic Dogme school of filmmaking.

Klavan’s story is both edgy and provocative, and even if it does become a little clichéd (soldiers peeling potatoes, uncomfortable early morning wake-up calls, soldiers having orders barked at them by an aggressive drill instructor, and an almost homoerotic level of male nudity), it manages to keep you on your toes by never allowing you to second guess what is going to happen next. It never feels anything less than personal, coming across as an unconventional rites of passage fable in which the hero starts of believing in the system and then slowly learns to fight against it.

Tigerland also offers us a stinging portrayal of the US Army, here showing it as an exhausted and disillusioned organisation simply going through the motions of barking out commands at new recruits and asking them to sacrifice their lives for their country, despite the abundantly clear reality that they are fighting a losing battle.

As for the actors, what many perceive as the films weakness turns out to be its biggest advantage: the large cast of unknowns working in an unusual setting make it edgy and exciting. Davis is good as Paxton, the Ernest Hemingway-wannabe who exudes an innocent, boyish charm that defies the usual machismo-and-testosterone filled support role we usually get in this type of film, while Shea Whigham is particularly nasty as the psychopath responsible for most of the film’s tension.

But the movie belongs to the boy Farrell, who positively smoulders charisma beneath a tough, handsome exterior. The Irish actor gets his Texan drawl down to a tee (to my ears at least. Fellow Epinions writer d_fienberg argues otherwise), and completely transforms himself into the casually arrogant rebel with a cause. A paradigm of compassion and humanity, Farrell is the rock on whom all of the other actors look to in times of need and is impossible to draw your eyes away from.

If there’s got to be any criticism levelled at the proceedings, it’s got to be with the merciless undertones it possesses. Schumacher seems adamant on depicting Fort Polk as twisted, sadistic grunts who seem more intent on mentally scarring our protagonists than they are on mentally preparing them. While it’s safe to say that war isn’t exactly a walk in the park, the levels of tension here are perhaps pushed a little too high, with the constant hostility that ensues between the men – whatever rank they belong to - reaches almost ludicrous levels, so much so that by the umpteenth argument you find yourself rooting for a guidance counsellor to pop his head round the door.

And while the likes of Farrell and Davis are allowed to develop their characters, the rest of the cast are given little chance to familiarise themselves with the audience. Dialogue in this film is sparse as it is, but when 90% of the cast are given little to say, it’s difficult to fully associate, or even identify, with them.

Forgive these minor character flaws, and what you’re left with is a film more than willing to take the odd risk or two. Tigerland is a much-needed return to good old fashioned cinema, where gimmicks and overblown action takes a back seat and human resources are thrust to the front.

As a war movie, it’s a frank reminder of the realities of conflict and its effects on the people who fight them, allowing us enough glimpses, no matter how brief, into the lives and feelings of youthful fighting men; and as a drama it features enough characterizations and superb acting in order to pull the proper emotional strings. And considering it’s brought to us by the guy who put nipples on the Batsuit, it’s as restrained and refined as you have any right to wish for. It may be exaggerated and overly brutal, but name any war movie in recent memory that isn’t?

THE NAME DROPPING
Colin Farrell. Colin Farrell. Colin Farrell. Remember the name, because this boy is going to be a regular player at the Oscars in years to come. A former UK soap actor, Farrell is proof that not all young modern day actors (mentioning no names here, Freddie Prinze Jr.) are talentless non-entity pretty boys employed solely to entice naïve young girls. Yes, ladies and gentleman, it seems that raw talent can get you somewhere in Hollywood after all. As Bozz, Farrell is given the kind of role any actor worth their salt would kill for, his performance as intense and gratifying from one minute to the next.

Since appearing in Tigerland Farrell has since starred alongside Bruce Willis in Hart’s War and provided a reliably brilliant supporting role for Tom Cruise in Minority Report. Rest assured these are just two of the actors whom Farrell is going to be stealing the acting roles off. If he isn’t A-list in three years time, I’ll eat my own ass with a spoon.

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This is my third review for my very own “Expunged From Their CV write/off”. I'm not alone, for I have been backed up by arjita, artbyjude, BigJack, brodieman, d_fienberg, jankp, lemon_lime, Lynus, Macresarf1, mfunk75, MrsNormanMaine, skbreese, susidee34, tjmackey, Vormancian, Weirdo_87 and xxxxer. Satisfaction guaranteed.


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older