Rescue Dawn is the type of movie that’s been on my brain a lot lately — a very good movie that I wouldn’t automatically recommend you see. It’s strange to think that I’d tell you to go see a B- movie before an B+ one but it seems like this phenomenon is presenting itself more and more these days. The fact is Rescue Dawn is a well put together movie, but it’s not necessarily one that you’ll enjoy watching.
What we’re talking about here is a Vietnam era prisoner of war story. Christian Bale plays a pilot who crash lands in Laos during a bombing run. He does his best to blend into the jungle but the people who have lived there their whole lives are a bit more adept at the hunting game. Bale is imprisoned and it’s there that he meets a motley assortment of fellow prisoners. The themes that you’d sort of guess will present themselves do; cruel guards, starvation, torture, escape plans, and the everlasting hope of rescue. I should also mention that this is all based upon a true story, and if you want at least one laugh out of this you should wait until the epilogue (right before the end credits) when an odd but true fact is casually thrown out.
The most interesting of the fellow prisoners is Jeremy Davies who continues his trend of playing crazy people. He’s played Charles Manson, and he was totally whacked out in both Solaris and CQ. Admirable. He’s the only guy that’s even near the level of screen presence shown by Bale (who’s only had one miss in his career, Harsh Times). The two form opposite poles of the experience, one plotting and planning, the other delusional and slipping.
The movie trades on suspense – this is the major problem with both its marketability and viability as a “must-see.” This bastard is on edge the entire time, in a relentless manner, it never lets up. It makes for some uncomfortable moments, and it’s a little bit akin to Werner Herzog’s other film I loved, Grizzly Man. That one, like this one, offers no fun moments to decompress in. It just plays out in horror and only the sturdiest of viewers will escape it unaffected.
The best movies start with an interesting premise, end well, and have a middle section that doesn’t bore. It’s really as easy as that, though by the amount of times this formula is screwed up you’d think it was brain surgery. Rescue Dawn has all three of these constructs so I don’t know where to ding it. I heard the complaint that it was too long, but I can’t personally think of something they could have left out or done differently. It’s a very solid product, and if you’re a fan of war movies or suspense in general than this would be a good choice for you. If you want something light, breezy, or funny this isn’t for you. It’s a serious movie, for serious movie lovers, and no one should wander into this unprepared. Now if you go you’re ready, much better off than poor Bale was at the outset of this one.
