A War-2015

Director Tobias Lindholm

Starring Pilou Asbæk, Tuva Novotny

Scott’s Review #456

Reviewed July 29, 2016

Grade: B+

A War, a 2015 film, made in Denmark, is a thought-provoking story that one might think is a standard “war film” on the surface, but as the film moves along, it turns into something much deeper and rather cerebral.

A slow mover, but necessary to the nature of the film’s message,  the viewer questions what he or she might do in a similar predicament as the main character faces a moral dilemma.

The action begins in Afghanistan as we meet a company of Danish soldiers assigned to protect civilians from the evil Taliban. They are young, good-looking, and of varying ethnic groups (a nice touch in the film).

One female soldier seems to be thrown in for good measure, though we never see her in combat.

Their leader is Commander Claus Pedersen, a good, decent man, well-liked by his troop. They have all seen death and destruction, and Pedersen frequents the middle of the action on the front lines.

He is one of the guys.

When one of his men is wounded during an attack, Pedersen makes a controversial decision, resulting in the deaths of civilians, and some children.

Pedersen is then charged with a war crime and sent home to Denmark to be tried. His wife and three small children are happy he is home, but distraught and opinionated on how he should testify.

One interesting aspect of A War is how the film shifts gears around the mid-way point.  The camaraderie between the soldiers in the field and their bond with Afghan civilians are mixed with dangerous threats from the Taliban.

I kept waiting for an attack to occur and in these ways, the film is a standard war film.

Mixed in are snippets of “home life” involving Pedersen’s wife. She appears a typical military wife, struggling to raise her three kids, one of whom has recently developed behavioral problems.

They miss Pedersen.

The latter half of the film is set inside a courtroom. Pedersen is interrogated by a female prosecutor and while she sympathizes with his anguish, she is determined to convict.

After all, children were killed because of his actions.

The filmmakers are on Pedersen’s side, but the conflict makes for great analysis. Should he be held accountable for deaths in a war zone? The viewer will ask him or herself- “would I lie to stay out of jail and with my family who needs me”?

Interesting stuff to ponder.

A War, ironic to the title, is calm and subdued, very impressive to me.  To compare, a film of this nature, targeted as a “blockbuster” would likely have technical enhancers, dramatic music undoubtedly would play to cue action in the war zone.

When Pedersen’s verdict is read aloud in the courtroom, it would normally contain some jarring camera shots or an intense musical score.

A War has none of those and that brings a certain reality- this could be everyday life. A decision is made and life quietly goes on.

Some complaints about A War being a tad boring. I see their point, but it is an atypical war film. It is understated and character-driven, rather than a shoot ’em up, overwrought with testosterone action, or laced with artillery or explosions.

A War (2015) is not a mainstream film- much to its credit. Rather it is methodical and fraught with interesting thinking points.

Oscar Nominations: Best Foreign Language Film