Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

Director: Mel Gibson

What is the motive behind a war? Do we kill others to protect our freedom or is it because someone else told us to do so, and we're just correcting their mistakes? In fact, history has shown us that it is enough to push one bottom to make an explosion. But what is it that makes us so revengeful and point the guns at people who themselves haven't done anything wrong? Is it the courage or willingness to show the whole nation that you are a modern-day savior? To be honest, people have reacted hotheaded far too many times, and we could've saved so many lives if not the stubbornness and pride of some. Fortunately, we haven't been doomed yet thanks to those few people who stand above the bandwagon and make us maintain faith in humanity. Desmond T. Doss was one of them, and "Hacksaw Ridge" is here to tell us his inspiring story.

It all started in the early 1930s that after an accident at home, Doss swore never ever to raise a weapon against a person. But it didn't mean that he was a coward. In fact, he proved everyone that a man can fight against crime by doing good to both his friends and enemies. Doss didn't think twice before joining the army; he never stepped away from his principles and followed his own path from start to finish. It might seem unrealistic that a man could be so selfless and put himself onto a battlefield without a gun on his shoulders with one and only mission - to save as many lives as he can. The truth is Desmond T. Doss was a real-world hero who left us in 2006 (aged 87), and it's a shame that his story was told only now. Then again, I suppose it was the right timing after all because the film couldn't have been given in better hands. 

Mel Gibson is a pro when it comes to historical dramas and showing how one man can make a difference. He has been the main person behind the Oscar-winning "Braveheart", heart-breaking "The Patriot", and controversial "The Passion of the Christ". Having been doomed from Hollywood for several years, he has returned to tell yet another story about one person's battle against the system, and in a way, we can see that through this film, Mel himself aims to reveal his ideals and prove that the little man can prevail. If we think about it, all his works have shown a struggle, difficulties in being accepted who you are. No matter if Mel is trying to make a statement that way or he's simply into these stories, we'll all be blessed if he keeps creating more films like "Hacksaw Ridge". 

The attention given to details is incredible, and one can truly see that an extensive research was done before the production to ensure reliability. Of course we can question the authenticity of some of the characters but it wouldn't be the same without a funny one, a sexy one, and a self-proclaimed alpha-male. The vivid personalities (everyone had a well-developed background) and chemistry between the actors (Andrew Garfield's southern accent and transformation from a shy teenager to a courageous man are particularly outstanding) were what made me enjoy every single minute of the film. Although I'm definitely not a fan of open blood scenes (the reason what kept me from watching "The Passion of the Christ"), it wasn't a problem this time as Gibson didn't force us to watch each attack and blood splash very closely. Even a sensitive person could bear that. The cinematographic work was truly amazing, and so was the soundtrack, which made the scenes even more epic. Given the space that they had to create a duplicate of the Hacksaw ridge on the island of Okinawa, the camera men made us conceptualize a far greater territory than it actually was. 

It did feel a little too melodramatic at times (the relationships between Doss and his girl Dorothy) and lacked the sometimes needed extra roughness as in "The Revenant" but that is what made the film so appealing to different audiences. Being a history geek that I am, it was kind of obligatory to see "Hacksaw Ridge" but I didn't think I would fall in love with it so much that I would want to see it again straight away.  Even my friend who decided to tag along at the last minute because she's not a fan of war dramas, totally loved it. Look, what Mel has done to us! And I can assure you that you won't regret watching the film either, at least for the purpose of learning new things.