Hacksaw Ridge is Profound and Beautiful

Andrew Garfield as Pfc. Desmond T. Doss in Hacksaw Ridge

While I do not consider myself a particularly emotional moviegoer, Hacksaw Ridge nearly managed to move me to tears. Mel Gibson, as complex and sometimes despicable as his actions may be, is a gifted storyteller who understands the media of film well, and his newest release is arguably the best movie he has ever been involved with (sorry, Mad Max, you're still near and dear to my heart).

The concept behind the film is simple, but were it not based on a true story it would be too farfetched to believe: Pfc. Desmond T. Doss, a pacifist who refuses to harm another person even while thrust into World War II, devotes his time spent in combat to saving the lives of his fellow Americans without firing a single shot. Based on concept alone it promised to be a moving and poignant experience, and thanks to Mel Gibson's competence and understanding of film as a visual medium it certainly went above and beyond my expectations.

Hacksaw Ridge is, for lack of a better word, beautiful. It is beautiful in the way that it reveals depths and complexities in characters which other films might have painted entirely in either black or white. Characters who one might expect to resent entirely with no redeeming qualities instead are presented as humans who are flawed and have reasons to deserve love and kindness despite their moments of weakness. Even those in the film who are heroic and good are presented as deeply flawed and imperfect, just as all people are.

The lush and bright colors which vividly coat Virginia in its opening sequences are contrasted greatly by the dark and grim hues of the battlefield in later scenes, further serving to illustrate the dark horrors of warfare and the terror felt by both armies while in combat. Through the use of color, or its deliberate absence, the film also demonstrates the unfocused dizzying overstimulation one might feel while out in the battlefield, frequently bombarded with gunfire and explosions with what may seem to be no end.

Color isn't the only thing which is given and taken with expertise in Hacksaw Ridge, music is used cautiously as well. Throughout the course of the film, the soundtrack is sporadic, coming and going as necessary and not overshadowing the poignancy of silence where silence is needed for a scene to be emotional. When the music is there, however, it shines as a beautiful and sweeping soundtrack which accomplishes its duty of propelling the emotional impact of every scene.

Andrew Garfield shines in his role as Pfc. Desmond T. Doss, portraying a gentle yet strong-willed man who is certain of his convictions and adamantly stands by them regardless of the judgement he feels from others. Surprisingly, Vince Vaughn is incredibly enjoyable in the role he plays as well, and he managed to provide some (good) comic relief during lighter moments in the film where it was needed, helping move the tone in a natural way from serious to lighthearted without the shift feeling forced or odd.

Sincere is another word which describes Hacksaw Ridge well, because it makes no move to preach religion at its audience or to pummel the audience into aspiring to change their political beliefs to align with a pacifist rhetoric. Instead, it give a humble yet powerful picture of a man who remained true to his beliefs and became a hero while doing so.

If you are going to see one film centered around World War II (or any war), please make sure it's Hacksaw Ridge.

If you like the content that The Foxy Film Fan puts out and would like to ensure that it keeps coming, I encourage you to check out our Patreon for more information on how you can help!