[yasr_overall_rating]
WWII American Army Medic Desmond T. Doss, who served during the Battle of Okinawa, refuses to kill people and becomes the first Conscientious Objector in American history to be awarded the Medal of Honor.
Mel Gibson has had a knack for diving deep into the depths of hell. His films seem to link violence or death as the cleansing of the soul, the meeting of destiny, to be worth something when the time comes. “Apocalypto” and “Braveheart” have shown us that hysteria and recreating violent and dark instance, is not new terrain for the man. “Hacksaw Ridge” does meet Gibson’s standard for those things in the second half of the film but the meat of the film is filled with a story one would think Gibson wouldn’t bother with, that it would put him off from picking up the story from the beginning.
“Hacksaw Ridge” follows a man named Desmond Doss, the first conscientious objector who has a yearning to serve his country as a medic but is a pacifist so deeply rooted in what he believes that he will not touch a gun for the duration of his enlistment. Doss is played by Andrew Garfield who is not known for this type of film. Garfield shines in quick quips and action fueled flicks but has never really had a major role in a film that picks the heartstrings like “Hacksaw Ridge” does. Garfield does not disappoint and brings Desmond to life while also bringing the kindness and emotion that seemed to be missing from Garfield’s handbook and in Gibson’s as well. Doss chooses to save those around him instead of taking their lives. Doss won the medal of honor for his bravery in the battle of Okinawa where, through the night, Doss saved 75 of his fallen brothers, bringing them over the ridge with rope, lowering them to the ground, lowering them to life. This bravery, this complete devotion to one’s ethics brings collision early in the film when Doss goes to basic and meets the likes of the gallant and patriotic Smitty (Luke Bracey) and the hard-nosed drill sergeant played by Vince Vaughn, in a truly fantastic way. Vaughn gives the sergeant a snarl, a bullish force but also provides a sense of curiosity that moves the story forward and also eludes to their friendship.
During the Okinawa scenes, which takes place during the last hour of the movie, Doss’s bravery is proven and this is where you can see and feel Mel Gibson’s craftfulness come into play. This is a film that ironically, is soaked with violence and portrays the story of one who does not act in violence. It is here, in the final scenes, where Christian Iconography are linked with the film, rooted even. Pain brings spiritual peace, just as it did in “The Passion of the Christ.” “Hacksaw Ridge” brings a feeling of being steadfast and makes you realize the cost of clinging to it in the darkest of times. It also shows the tenacity and moral value that comes with sticking through until the end with those same morals intact. “Hacksaw Ridge” is a film many need to see for it will resonate with the masses.
In theaters Friday, November 4th
