| Written by John Shea,
on 27-04-2004 07:32
|
Published in : Reviews, Movies |
As a subject for movies, it's hard to get more popular than the Alamo. This story has been filmed for TV or the big screen a couple dozen times. What makes this version stand out is something rarely attempted in these films: historical accuracy.
The siege of the Alamo by Mexican forces in 1836 is steeped in myth with legendary figures such as Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett front and center. Generally speaking, movies shoot the film with as much bravado, chest pounding and patriotism as possible to milk the massacre for everything it's worth. This version is more interested in trying to take an honest look at the proceeding, stripping away the mythology to get at the kernel of truth at the core.
The movie gets off to a fairly slow start as it attempts somewhat unsuccessfully to set the political tone of the time along with introducing the main characters. There is General Sam Houston (Dennis Quaid) trying hard to sell the idea of a free Texas state on his terms. There is the former Congressman turned legendary outdoorsman Davy "He prefers David" Crockett (Billy Bob Thornton). Jim Bowie (Jason Patric) was leader of militia forces sent to the Alamo. Lt. Colonel William Travis (Patrick Wilson) is the young patriot unexpectedly put in charge of the regular army troops at the Alamo. Finally there is the Mexican General Santa Anna (Emilio Echevarria).
The slow setup transforms into a tense standoff as the Texans are caught unprepared by Santa Anna's forces. Now they hunker down in their fort, praying General Houston will send them reinforcements. Meanwhile Santa Anna puts on a good show, pompously reveling in the knowledge he can win this battle.
It is during this period, where the Texans wait for the battle they know is coming, that we start to see the historical figures expand into more human figures than we are used to seeing. Bowie may be a legendary fighter but he is also a bit of a drunk and a racist. He and Travis don't hit it off, as they jockey for control of the fort. At the same time, Crockett wanders about, trying to insert himself into whatever situation he can do the most good in. He is a guy who obviously enjoys his celebrity but is a bit uncomfortable having to live up to the impossible feats he supposedly did. He has a great scene where he talks about being with an army unit that slaughtered a group of Indians that is thoroughly chilling. It adds an immediate weight to the events he now finds himself in.
Figures like Bowie, Crockett and Houston don't seem quite so legendary in this film. They are simply men trying to do what they can for their goal of a Texas free of Mexico. Writer/director John Lee Hancock is trying hard to give us real people instead of two-dimensional demigods. Crockett particularly stands out as someone who may not be the legend he's described as but is certainly someone worth knowing.
The movie's biggest problem is the slow start. It has no real flow and makes for a muddled introduction to the events. It's not until around halfway through the movie where the characters start to get some good speeches that the movie starts to gain emotional weight. The battle at the Alamo is a spectacularly shot affair on a massive set that lets the viewer appreciate the scale of the battle with wide shots. Shot at night it has a real moody feel, almost claustrophobic, that belies the wide-open nature of Texas. But the battle is over quickly and then it's on to Houston's effort to lead Santa Anna's forces away, splintering and weakening them so that he could strike a decisive blow. This is the film's best segment leading me to wonder if it might not have been better to focus more on Houston.
Pacing is the killer here. While the movie has plenty of interesting material to work with, it takes too long to get the audience involved and then is over too quickly. A smoother introduction would have done wonders to this movie. That said, there is a lot to like here. Dennis Quaid and Billy Bob Thornton turn in great work. The cinematography is great. The script's focus on historical accuracy lets us have a pretty good look at Santa Anna and his motivations. That makes this less of a good versus evil struggle. It rings truer but probably doesn't help the search for more emotional impact.
The Alamo has great intentions but is just slightly off the mark.
- John Shea
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