Pearl Harbor (2001)
183 min - Action | Drama | Romance - 1 June 2001 (UK)
Director: Michael Bay Writer: Randall Wallace Stars: Ben Affleck, Kate Beckinsale and Josh Hartnett
Rating; c +
Director: Michael Bay Writer: Randall Wallace Stars: Ben Affleck, Kate Beckinsale and Josh Hartnett
Rating; c +
I’ll take you through the basics. There are two best friends; Rafe McCawley who is played by Ben Affleck and Danny who is played by Josh Hartnett. They have been best friends since they were children and have had big dreams of being pilots even though Rafe's farther warned him and made it known that he wanted is son to stay away from all that since he had a personal horrifying experience, and didn't want the same for his son. Nevertheless Rafe and Danny grow up to do just that - become Pilots.
Rafe needs his stamp of approval, and Evelyn is the one who has to approve him who she is played by Kate Beckinsale.
Although he can’t read -- Evelyn sees Rafe's passion for being a pilot and his determination which eventually wins her over. Soon they fall deeply in love and begin a relationship that is both intense yet loving. However, Rafe all of a sudden leaves England but promises her he will be back, meanwhile, in Japan Admiral Isoroku is already planning an attack on Pearl Harbour
Rafe is shot down over the English Channel in a surprise attack. Danny and Evelyn mourn together as they believe the one they held dearest has left them. Not long after presuming that he is dead they find comfort in one another, and become lovers. This is where the story really kicks in.
Rafe returns home expecting a tearful Evelyn to fall into his arms yet the realisation hits quick as things start to become clear. Worse yet Danny seems to have no remorse at all because "He’s in love with Evelyn" No gilt whatsoever that he is with his best friends girl. Blah.
I really adored this movie, but there were just some things I couldn't grasp. For one how can you fall into the arms of the best friend of the man you loved just 3 months after you presume he is dead.. like seriously? I found Evelyn extremely selfish, because of this.
To be honest there was no point calling this movie Pearl Harbour , although the love story surrounded the events of Pearl Harbour Pearl Harbour
I'd blame Danny for being so weak, as in, if he loved his best friend as much as he made out -- he would have never gone for his best friends girl pain and simple. Hat being in such a short period of time. Rafe himself fell for her way too easily. I found it annoying that they made her out to be this goddess that couldn't be resisted like come on? are men so weak to an attractive women that they lose all common sense?
I know that Evelyn wasn't as clueless or naive as she made herself out to be. She was a nurse for gods sake -- she saved people's lives, she was fantastic at her job and very professional.
Those were the few times that I actually admired her, when it showed her dedication even when her life was in danger - her patients were number one priority.
So yes, I do have conflicted thoughts. A part of me loved the friendship and brotherhood Rafe and Danny had, and although I was rooting for Rafe throughout the movie the ending didn't seem to help me find any comfort if anything I was saddened.
Evelyn got what she wanted -- she didn't seem to mind the outcome as long as she had one of them, and they still went back to her like puppy's. I sat through that movie glued and completely drawn in it was only when it had finished and I had time to think did I accept the faults. In the end when it was said that 100 people or so were buried with Pearl Harbour I just found it so saddening, I mean they must have tried to get out as many as possible but it’s just such an awful way to die, to know there's no way out.
Also I noticed one other thing; obviously the movie was biased because it was made by an American, fair enough. The events happened, but I noticed right away when Pearl Harbour is being destroyed it’s showed in great detail. People dying, the bodies floating. They even kill of important characters to get an emotional reaction out of the audience. When they are doing the same in Japan it shows no people dying, like seriously. Doesn't show one death, no one screaming, running, getting hit, shot, but if they did then that would bring more conflicted emotions right? Because in the end they both more or less did the same thing right? I just had to point that out
I don't want to spoil it so I have left a lot of the important bits out that link into certain events, so don't worry I haven't given much away.
As for the love triangle I hope if it exists it really doesn't make you as pathetic and weak as it did the three of them, because if so -- I want nothing to do with it.
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