REVIEW Clint Eastwood’s “15:17 to Paris” Is An Eclectic Mix of Patriotic [tr]

showbiz411.com ^ | February 7, 2018 | Roger Friedman

[jonno]

Full title: REVIEW Clint Eastwood’s “15:17 to Paris” Is An Eclectic Mix of Patriotic, Christian, and Cutting Edge — And Will Resonate in the Heartland
***

Don’t believe the mixed or bad reviews coming in early for Clint Eastwood’s “15:17 to Paris.” I saw it tonight, and like A.O. Scott in the New York Times, I found it fascinating and much more complicated than a snarky dismissal.

You know, I’m Jewish and liberal, so “patriotic” and “Christian” aren’t two of the things I warm to in movies necessarily. But Eastwood’s take on these real life heroes is not simplistic. The real life people playing themselves as heroes on the train from Amsterdam to Paris– I was braced for a bad movie. And I will say, it starts slowly and it’s totally not what you expect. Nevertheless, if you’re patient with it, you quickly realize several things.

First of, the real guys are not bad. I’ve seen worse. Compared to Louis CK’s unreleased “I Love You, Daddy,” the acting and writing here is Shakespearean.

Second, Eastwood– as he did in “American Sniper” and “Sully”– lays out their stories and backgrounds objectively. I’m already seeing in some reviews some idea that Eastwood is pushing a religious agenda or whatever. Nonsense. He’s accurately depicting these people. The mothers of the guys are religious– this is what they believe, it’s their right. No one is mocking them or judging them. This is who they are. And kudos to Jenna Fischer and Judy Greer for finding the mothers’ dimensions.

[nutmeg]

Thanks for this thread. I *cannot wait* to see this movie. Starring the actual heroes, too, instead of actors. Amazing!

[nutmeg]

Clint is a superb filmmaker . Also helps that he is one of the few remaining good guys in Hollywood.

Yes! I only wish Clint was a bit younger... so we'd have him in Hollywood a lot longer. He will be 88 in May... God bless him!

[jonno]

“Probably what the “tolerant” pinkos hate about it.”

These so-called “tolerant” will CELEBRATE if & when there is a call to send the likes of us to the camps.

And they call us the Nazis...

[jonno]

“I’m looking forward to this”

Me too - and I just heard about this film today!

[PghBaldy]

I have to wait for cable or DVD. Am very much looking forward to it, as is my mom. One of the few movies we will pay more than a couple of bucks to see on OnDemand.

[Let's Roll]

Rotten tomatoes has given it one star. And some pencil necked critic calls it boring. These items from a quick google peek to see if Clint beat the book out. Didn’t see mention of a book.

[colorado tanker]

I am amazed Eastwood pulled this off using the actual guys and not professional actors. He must be amazing working with his actors.

[longfellow]

As don rickels once said, I’ll just open up a can of watermelon and tap dance.

[jonno]

“some pencil necked critic”

Whose most stressful life-event was probably watching Trump win the presidency.

[The Iceman Cometh]

I think it depends on your expectations.

The dude singing in the bar (Mario Peebles?) is just waaaaaay bad. lol

[jonno]

“...is just waaaaaay bad”

Chuckles - sounds like you’re expecting too much.
8^)

“The term suspension of disbelief or willing suspension of disbelief has been defined as a willingness to suspend one’s critical faculties and believe something surreal; sacrifice of realism and logic for the sake of enjoyment.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspension_of_disbelief

[Purdue77]

"You know, I’m Jewish and liberal, so “patriotic” and “Christian” ..."

So what part of him isn't "patriotic", the Jewish or the liberal part? Is he stating that being Jewish and/or liberal means that Jews and liberals aren't patriotic? I knew some Jews who were very patriotic, but liberals were a different story. Having lived in Northern VA, I knew too many liberals.

[jonno]

“So what part of him isn’t “patriotic””

It seems to me that for many Jews their knee-jerk reaction is: patriotism = nationalism = Nazism

[FrdmLvr]

Trailer looks good. I loved Gran Torino, I’ll go see his new one and probably love it too.

[Georgia Girl 2]

Act Of Valor had real spec op guys in it and it was a very good movie.

[aquila48]

Amazing that this guy is still going strong at 87 years of age. Hope he keeps going til 100!

[SkiKnee]

Eastwood has an ability as a director that is rare in modern Hollywood. He knows how to tell a good story honestly.

"...he directed a movie about 8 or 9 years ago which was about the battle of Iwo Jima..."

That would be "Letters from Iwo Jima". He also directed "Flags of our Fathers" at the same time. The second film was taken from the USMC perspective, centered around the guys who raised the flag on Mt. Surabachi. Both of those films were masterpieces, IMO.