U-571-2000
Director Jonathan Mostow
Starring Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton
Scott’s Review #1,126
Reviewed March 25, 2021
Grade: B-
U-571 (2000) is a film that entertains. It’s got excellent cinematography, some thrills, and a clear good guys vs. bad guys mentality with machismo for days.
It’s an American film if there ever was one and will please American audiences seeking cookie-cutter material with loud noise and a satisfying ending.
It’s also got some scenes of guy peril that will please a certain type of audience demographic- think blue-collar males.
The modus operandi is that all the Americans are good and the Germans are bad. It is World War II after all. It wasn’t that simple folks but according to the film, it’s pretty cut and dry.
But that’s entertainment and a box-office hit.
It’s not a bad film at all but a beer and pizza-style film, not a martini and avocado dip film.
For those seeking something more authentic versus formulaic and riddled with cliches, U-571 will disappoint. It’s also shamefully inaccurate and severely muddies waters. The film does not portray a historical event so there is a lot it gets away with.
But it’s a fictionalized film and is meant to entertain so my suggestion is to sit back, grab some popcorn (or beer and pizza), and enjoy it for what it is. Don’t look for any rationale other than the studio wanting to make a ton of money.
And there is the exceptional cinematography and cool locales to keep us marginally happy. The story is inane but the trimmings work.
When a German U-571 submarine (hence the title of the film!) with a sophisticated encryption machine onboard is presumed lost and buried during a World War II battle at sea, the Allies send an American Navy force led by Lieutenant Andrew Tyler (Matthew McConaughey) to retrieve it for study.
Boarding the German ship, the Americans’ cover as a rescue force is quickly blown. Forced to take the crew hostage, the Americans lay their explosives and prepare to destroy the German vessel before the Nazis can send naval backup.
It’s a race against time routine seen frequently in masculine thrillers.
About those historical inaccuracies.
The American portrayal is skewed and slanted to be pro-American and this point offended many of the British military and public. Even Prime Minister Tony Blair got involved. The Allies captured Enigma-related codebooks and machines about fifteen times during the War; all but two of these by British forces.
Watching the film one would think the Americans did everything and the British were incompetent.
Let’s ponder for a moment why filmmakers, especially screenwriter David Ayer and director Jonathan Mostow would embrace such inconsistencies. My hunch is that they were attempting to target their film to male American moviegoers. The tactic worked and the film was a hit.
A cool tidbit is the casting of rock star Jon Bon Jovi in the supporting role of Lieutenant Pete Emmett. At this time launching an acting career that included a role on television’s Ally McBeal, it’s impressive to see him on the big screen and not playing himself.
I’m not sure he pulls it off but as a fan of the 1980s hitmaker, I enjoyed this aspect.
McConaughey carries the film well and is his usual dashing and charismatic self. Before the actor started doing more quality and character-representative films nearly a decade later, he would later state that several roles he took he disliked and did completely for the cash payday.
One wonders if U-571 is one of those films.
Bill Paxton and Harvey Keitel have little more to do than to act tense and play second fiddle to McConaughey.
From an inclusive perspective, and I kid because there is nary a strong female to be found, there are no strong women characters. A shame because being the year 2000 Mostow should have known better.
Couldn’t one of the high-ranking majors or lieutenants have been a woman? If nothing else it could have added some sexual tension. Or perhaps a same-sex relationship. The film does nothing for diversity.
It’s a very intense and exciting war film that accomplishes what it sets out to do. It’s well-executed and a crowd-pleaser, U-571 (2000) doesn’t contain much more than that and will be remembered as a slick entertaining thriller with a big movie star.
Oscar Nominations: 1 win-Best Sound Editing, Best Sound (won)
