Defiance;
A Bold act of resistance to authority, or to any opposing force.
From acclaimed Writer, Director and Producer Edward Zwick, comes an amazing true story of resilience, perseverance and courage. Zwick’s new film Defiance tells the story of three brothers who are forced to flee Nazi-Occupied Poland and escape into the Belarussian Forest. It is in this forest that they have the chance to rebuild their lives. But when more and more Jews arrive in the forest escaping the same religious persecution, the Bielski brothers are forced to take responsibility for them and form one common community. As winter approaches, food and shelter become scarce commodities and the imminent threat of a Nazi juggernaut lurks just beyond the tree line.
Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber and Jamie Bell star as the three brothers Bielski: Tuvia, Zus and Asael. I have to say that each of these actors brings their ‘A game’ and deliver the best work of their careers. We all know Daniel Craig for his portrayal of the smooth talking ladies man from the British intelligence Agency MI6, in both Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace. In those films he no doubt takes us on a ride making him arguably the best James Bond in the film’s historic franchise. However, his role as Tuvia in this film establishes himself as a great actor and a true leading man. Jamie Bell plays the role of the youngest of the three Bielski brothers, Asael. Bell’s presence in many scenes steals some lime light even from Daniel Craig himself (not easy), proving that he too, is capable of such greatness that earned him praise for his title role in the acclaimed film Billy Elliot. Though, as I said before, his best work comes here. The show stealing performance, without question, goes to Liev Schreiber’s Zus. The performance of the film. This is one that will have people awestruck at how his intensity and ferocity brought this film to a complete satisfaction. The rough, tough, rugged, often bull-headed and hot tempered Zus is astonishing and breathtaking. His performance belongs with the Academy’s top 5 and final supporting roles of the year.
It seems, perhaps by coincidence, though I doubt it, that whenever I see an Edward Zwick movie I always come out saying how amazing the acting performances were. Denzel Washington in Glory, won Best Actor in a Supporting role in 1989. Brad Pitt, while he wasn’t nominated for any major awards was terrific in Legends of the Fall in 1994. Ken Wantanabe, nominated for the academy award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in 2003. We all remember Leonardo DiCaprio’s and Djimon Hounsou’s insanely intense performances in Blood Diamond just two years ago. Both Academy Award nominated performances. And once again with the overall ensemble of Defiance led by Liev Schreiber. Like I said, Coincidence? Maybe. Probably not, though. How about we just accept that Edward Zwick brought out the very best in all of these already outstanding actors. Still, sadly, Zwick seems unappreciated. I don’t know why, but one day this man will win the Oscar for Best Director.
On the Technical side of things, Legendary Composer James Newton Howard’s epic score is amazing. Not to mention the great cinematography by Eduardo Serra that was at times, overwhelming. Though nothing worthy of awards. Still great. Overall, Defiance is great movie and is absolutely one of the year’s best films.
MADE!
IMDB: 7.6/10
ROTTENTOMATOES: 49 % (Which is flat out ridiculous…shouldn’t be that low.)
MOVIEWISEGUYS: 8.0/10
