Review of The Flowers of War (2011) by Irene R — 29 Jan 2012

As beautifully stylized as would be expected from a Zhang Yimou film, but also terribly graphic. Sadly, it was probably not an exaggerated account of Japan's Rape of Nanking.

Christian Bale plays a shameless American mortician who, in order to survive, impersonates a priest. Amid the atrocities of war, he finds his courage and his moral compass.

In times of war, there are heroes, big and small. Not all are well-known or publicly lauded, but that doesn't make their deeds any less honorable or brave.

A few details compel me to give this movie a less-than-5-star rating. Towards the end, Christian Bale's character started to open up about his past, but his back story wasn't fleshed out; it was just enough to make you curious and then leave you hanging. Rather than adding to his character development, it seemed superfluous. Also, at one point, two people managed to leave the cathedral, which seemed incredulous given the armed guards outside. Even the characters in the movie repeatedly asked, "How did they get out?!" but no answer was ever given.