Empire of the Sun (1987)

Directed by Steven Spielberg. Starring Christian Bale, John Malkovich, Joe Pantoliano, Nigel Havers, Miranda Richardson, Leslie Phillips, Masatô Ibu, Rupert Frazer, Emily Richard, Ben Stiller, Peter Gale, Paul McGann, Robert Stephens, Takatarô Kataoka, Burt Kwuok. [PG]

Adaptation of J. G. Ballard’s semi-autobiographical novel about his experiences during World War II. Spoiled, airplane-obsessed British lad (Bale) lives a pampered, sheltered life in Shanghai, but when the Japanese invade, he gets separated from his parents and has to survive many hardships, first on the streets and then in an internment camp. An ambitious epic, but one without much focus or a clear statement; the first hour is often effective, but the movie drags during the more muddled final hour. Despite a good performance, Bale’s character doesn’t garner much sympathy even as he overcomes the expected coming-of-age and loss-of-innocence hurdles. Even more emotionally distant than Spielberg’s previous stab at “big, serious filmmaking” (The Color Purple), it’s an extraordinary true story given a rather ordinary treatment in all ways but the professional polish. At the very least, this is a magnificent looking film with fine period detail, but it’s sometimes wasted; like John Williams’ heavy-handed score, if the movie had earned its stirring grandeur, Allen Daviau’s beautiful photography would have served a greater purpose. Although a well-worn cynical-but-resourceful type in POW/prison movies (think: William Holden in Stalag 17), Malkovich’s characterization is the most diverting.

52/100