Word: redford
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...three-star general (Robert Redford) is busted for exceeding his orders and getting some of his men killed. He's incarcerated in a tough Army jail commanded by a prissy hard-ass (James Gandolfini) who has never seen combat. The former organizes a revolt against the latter's sadism, wrapping his improbable efforts in the flag. Somehow, joining the prison riot is made to seem an act of high patriotism. Redford underacts, Gandolfini overacts, and this movie is directed with the same air of unreality, the same grim passion for cliches, both cinematic and emotional, that Lurie brought...
...film begins with acclaimed General Irwin (Robert Redford) being transported to a military prison for violent criminals. The warden, Colonel Winter (James Gandolfini), rules the prison with an iron fist, but shows compassion and respect for General Irwin, one of his personal heroes. Some of these opening scenes involve Irwin arriving at the prison in a bus. For those of you acquainted with The Shawshank Redemption these scenes will seem very familiar. Remember the prisoners who placed bets on Andy? Well, those same gamblers are present here, eagerly making bets on when the general will commit suicide. From this point...
...Both Redford and Gandolfini are quite good in their respective roles, and many of the best scenes in the film are simply both actors talking together. Alas, as the script makes them archetypes instead of three-dimensional characters, their performances ultimately feel hollow. The only other character that is somewhat fleshed out is that of inmate Yates (Mark Ruffalo), the prison’s designated bookie. After giving one of last year’s best performances in You Can Count on Me, I was very interested in seeing Ruffalo in a new role. Once again, he gives a solid...
...Robert Redford...
...Robert Redford...