Empire of the Sun.
Steven Spielberg
Character of men is best revealed in moments of crisis.
Anyone could have made a movie of this kind but only Steven Spielberg would have been able to lend it an astonishingly powerful and eternal flavor. Not only this but also the fact that only Spielberg would have been able to extract the maximum from his actors-whether young or old- as he has done in this commendable but long movie, Empire of the Sun.
Empire of the sun is a powerful movie and shows different aspects of the human character. Unlike other movies it does not decide or acts as a judge whether an action was morally correct or not but like a reporter it reports the event and how different men and women reacted.
Empire of the Sun also showcases the fact that a crisis exposes the real mettle/strength of the human character. All of us react differently to any given situation. In this almost three hour long film Spielberg brings the best and the worst of the mankind.
The Movie
Steven Spielberg?s EMPIRE OF THE SUN is based on the autobiographical novel by J.G. Ballard. The author reminisces his childhood experiences as a prisoner in a Japanese camp during the World War II. Christian Bale stars Jim Graham ( the author) in the movie. Jim had been temporarily orphaned as he is separated from his family while attempting to leave the nation during the Japanese attack. The movie thus revolves around Jim and how his killer survival instinct helps him wade through the three-year rigorous prisoner camp.
Chrisitian Bale has put up a magnificent performance in the movie. There are umpteen scenes in the film when I have become overtly flooded with emotions and saluted this young boy. Jim played by Bale though a young boy and separated from his parents becomes my idol when he shows his strong will power and the ability to find wonder even in midst of horror.
Jim has had an upper-class upbringing and knows not the human suffering and the pangs of starvation-coupled with many other miseries. Yet not once does he crumble, a true optimist at heart he rises to the worse possible crisis and amazes all around him.
In his journey from his palatial comforts to a prisoner camp Jim finds a companion in Basie ( palyed by John Malkovich) and Frank (Joe Pantoliano), American merchant seamen turned scavengers. Basie is an opportunist. He cannot do a good turn to anyone without being rewarded. In his company Jim learns more about life yet he never gets influenced. He has his own set of morals and walks by them. He associates with Basie in order to survive. He learns to look out for himself.
This is a very long movie and each moment keeps you hooked. It would not be possible to express or relate the various emotions that crosses ones heart while watching the film. Yet I am certain that once you start with this film there is nothing that will stop you from seeing till the end.