Though the film, along with its companion piece, Flags of Our Fathers, was released waaaayyyy before I was into film, I certainly remember the amount of hype surrounding the release of Clint Eastwood's Letters from Iwo Jima. The film became acclaimed and popular for a variety of reasons, one of which was the fact that it was one of the few films to portray WWII-era Japanese soldiers in a sympathetic light. Beforehand, most films either downplayed or demonized the Japanese during World War II due to events such as the bombing of Pearl Harbor and, frankly, because it was an age that most people would like to forget. Especially when considering Japan's current friendly relationship with the United States. Regardless, Clint Eastwood surprised audiences everywhere when he released two films that showcased both sides of the battle of Iwo Jima. Flags of Our Fathers, which showcased the American side, only got mixed-to-average reviews while the fresh Letters from Iwo Jima, which showcased the Japanese side, got glorifying reviews. Does this mean that Letters from Iwo Jima is truly a fantastic film? Or, did most critics praise it simply for the fact that it showed a new side of World War II? I'd say it's probably a mixture of both. While it's not great, Letters from Iwo Jima proves to be a really good film with a great sense of atmosphere and cinematography.
The film follows two Japanese officers, Lt. General Kuribayashi and Private First Class Saigo, as they prepare for a virtually impossible battle against the Americans at the island of Iwo Jima. Without naval or air support, morale is low among the soldiers and many believe that the battle will end up being a suicide mission. Regardless, though, Lt. General Kuribayashi is determined to fight to the death in order to protect the innocent lives of Japan for as long as possible. During the 'silence before the storm', we follow the Lt. General and Saigo, a simple baker enlisted into the army, as they mentally prepare themselves for the upcoming violence by thinking and writing to their respective families. Once the Americans arrive, however, the film becomes much darker, bleaker, and filled with a sense of futility and despair.
First off, the cinematography looks great. The film has a nice sepia-like tone, giving it a historic feel to it while simultaneously not diluting the emotions of the characters and the mood of the film. It's not *exactly* sepia, but it's a sort of mixture between dark green-lenses and brown-lenses. That's not important, though, as it's the look of the film that really matters. It's got smooth camerawork and, as an aspiring filmmaker, it was cool to notice the techniques that Eastwood used when shooting the film. They're standard issue, more or less, but they're effective when used correctly. The multiple suicide sequence, for instance, was really heavy-hitting thanks to the dark subject matter of that scene and the use of cinematography. Overall, it's definitely a sharp-looking film.
As for atmosphere, the film's just as good. Due to the use of dark colors and landscape, the film gives off a feeling of isolation and entrapment as we watch characters run through caves, brush, and other enclosed spaces to fight a 'faceless' enemy. It's definitely suspenseful and really adds to that feeling of hopelessness, especially when we see the American freighters closing in on the island of Iwo Jima. To add to the suspense of the incoming danger, we're subjected to witnessing many Japanese soldiers commit suicide out of a misguided sense of honor. It's some pretty intense stuff, and the first time we see it may be the most haunting moment in the entire film. Though the film's not perfect, I can say that I relished in the film's dark and tense atmosphere.
It's the characterization, though, that proves to be the film's major flaw. Though the characters are relatable and emotionally-investable, we're detached from their overall existence. We see the characters' actions, yes, but we never really get to know any of the characters on a deeper level. They exist for the sole purpose of showcasing the story of Iwo Jima and the historical events that connected it with the results of World War II. Saigo, for instance, was a likable lead, but I can honestly say that he didn't really have any outstanding character traits. He was just...there. He's decent enough to keep me interested, but he's an otherwise fairly forgettable character. The same can be said of virtually the entire cast. The dialogue's pretty well-written, though, and the script is able to churn out a few heartfelt speeches from the Japanese officers. However, the overall characterization is only "decent" at best.
Though some parts of the film are a mixed bag, such as the characters and the stagnant ending, Letters from Iwo Jima is still a really good movie. The visuals, atmosphere, and historic connections definitely make it worth watching at least once.
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