Civil War is Disturbingly on Point

Having just screened Kate Winslet’s ‘Lee’ over the summer centering on the life and career of legendary war photojournalist Lee Miller, I was intrigued to see yet another film where the cinematic focal point would be around journalists and war.

Directed Alex Garland, Civil War follows seasoned war photographer, Lee  (Kirsten Dunst) as she reflects on her life amdst two generations of journalists sitting on the outskirts of the war zone that has become a snapshot of a once unthinkable outcome.

Garland has made a radically new kind of American war action/thriller, whose clear-eyed observations about violent, armed conflic,  serve as both a confrontation with the state of the nation and an incendiary premonition.

Kirsten Dunst turns in an understated, multi-layered performance as Lee, who appears to be numb enough to her surroundings to accomplish her job until she encounters Jessie (Cailee Spaeny).  Childless and unmarried, Lee begrudgingly takes responsibility for Jessie proving to instigate a maternal instinct unbenownst to her has been dormant.  Spaeny, also in a an understated, yet powerful performance is a whole vibe and standout as Jessie.  She totally embodies being that little sister that wears on your last nerve, yet pulls herself up by the bootstraps at just the right moment..

War films are never easy to watch.   The violence, imagery of airstrikes, random gunfire toward unsuspecting civilians, discord between Texas and California and heart-stopping action is usually reserved for others – not something that occurs on American soil.

The subliminal messaging running rampant regarding racism, a law and order existence, a character played by Nick Offerman (who one can assume is identical to someone running for office right now) and the blatant manner in which Americans are literally turning on each other is disturbingly a little too close for comfort.  Slowly paced, when this film decides to kick us in the rear end it does so with the swiftness.

Remaining torn at this moment on my feelings toward this flick, I can’t deny its message lingers beneath my skin making me uncomfortable moving into the unforseeable political future for America.  Our country, by no stretch of the imagination, needs a Civil War, yet this film is proof one may be on the horizon whether we like it or not.  One image searing through the depths of my soul is the look captured by cinematic war journalists on the faces of those dying in the name of freedom.  It’s undeniably heartbreaking to know that the reality is closer than one could ever imagine.