I love some of Edward Zwicks earlier movies. 'Glory', 'The Last Samurai' and 'Blood Diamond' - all terrific! But what happened here? Although based on actual events, 'Defiance' is riddled with clichés. At one point - after one from the supporting cast suddenly starts coughing in the movie - my wife who was sitting next to me said: "Rest assure that he will die within the next 20 minutes, like all the other people in Hollywood movies who suddenly starts coughing." 15 minutes later, there he was, dying on the ground, in one of the movies many cheesy scenes, which I suppose were to evoke some sort of feelings or sympathy from the audience.
But it does not work. Mainly because Zwick tries to tick as many boxes on his chart as possible. It wants to be both drama, action, love and part documentary. Too much.
It's like watching a Hallmark TV version of both 'Robin Hood' and 'Schinders List' at once.
If you end up bored by a story, which on paper and in reality is and was anything but, the storyteller is to blame.
But it does not work. Mainly because Zwick tries to tick as many boxes on his chart as possible. It wants to be both drama, action, love and part documentary. Too much.
It's like watching a Hallmark TV version of both 'Robin Hood' and 'Schinders List' at once.
If you end up bored by a story, which on paper and in reality is and was anything but, the storyteller is to blame.