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Films about WW2 military veterans can seem like a dime a dozen these days. That is by no means meant to discredit or insult those who bravely fought for their respective countries against the Nazi regime; merely to say that, more often than not, a lot of these kinds of films tend to follow a similar pattern, albeit for obvious and understandable reasons. While today's subject, The Last Rifleman, is no stranger to the hallmarks of a typical WW2 veteran story, it earns many bonus points for being a much more human story that is only tangentially linked to what was once called the war to end all wars; delivering a powerhouse performance from a fantastic actor and a heartwarming story about the nature of love itself.
The story follows a 92-year-old Irish WW2 vet named Artie Crawford (Pierce Brosnan) who just lost his wife of 68 years on the eve of the D-Day anniversary. Despite multiple health issues, not to mention the recommendations of his nursing home friends, Artie makes a daring effort to reach France in time for the anniversary. Most people are under the impression that his journey is for his fallen comrades, and while they are partially correct, Artie is on a mission of much greater significance that just might catch you off guard.
I have always had a great deal of respect and a soft spot for people who have willingly risked their lives to serve their country, an act I have yet to believe myself capable of taking. While I consider myself a patriot to a degree, and I have at least a few things in my life I will gladly risk my life for, it pales in comparison to the courage demonstrated by those who have genuinely faced down the barrel of a gun; something I hope I never find myself doing but hope to be prepared for the right reasons should such an event come to pass.
But I digress.
The film is a fun, albeit occasionally heavy, escape story about a man trying to achieve one last critical mission before his time ends. His journey brings him into conversation with many different generations and perspectives of conflict, both old and new, that paint a portrait of the world we built based on past events. Not to mention the importance of learning from history, both your own and that of others.
Pierce Brosnan delivers a stellar performance with great-looking make-up to boot. Although in his early 70s. Mr. Brosnan succeeds in portraying a much older and hindered elderly person, along with the necessary emotional weight for such a character. His performance is further enhanced by the fantastic supporting characters he encounters on his journey.
The script is decently crafted with enough nuance and comic relief to deliver a balanced narrative.
Typically, this is where I would provide my nitpicks about the cinematography for being too uniform and "blurry background" heavy for its own good. Still, given the nature of the story and the quality of the performances, I am inclined to give it a pass.
The Last Rifleman may not be as visceral as other WW2 movies from before. Still, it is a heartwarming story about compassion and the importance of occasionally partaking in a little act of rebellion in some form or other for the greater good. If you're in the mood for a good story with an unexpected turn, check this one out. Also, have tissues handy; you'll likely need them.
Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm; thank you all for reading.
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