“Glory” – Nathan’s Movie Challenge, Week 32
“We fight for men and women whose poetry is not yet written but which will presently be as enviable and as renowned as any.”
Sentimentality is a tricky emotion in movies. It can either read as sincere if an actor is able to pull it off, or fall in the realm of camp when they don’t. This film wavers back and forth accordingly, quite a bit.
There are plenty of well-defined characters in Glory – best among them the use of the baby-faced Matthew Broderick as the reluctant, but naively brave colonel. Denzel does his thing. Morgan Freeman does his thing. The smaller players all bring what they can to their roles. It’s less an ensemble cast and more several strong actors all looking for their chance to steal the spotlight.
I liked that characters didn’t fall into archetypes, and the costuming and hairstyles all felt realistic.
The music was indeed a high point, as I’d been led to believe externally before seeing the film. Howard Shore’s dialed-in strings and triumphant, sweeping melodies fit right in to the story.
When it was all over though, I didn’t feel much. More just befuddled at how poorly military strategies were employed in the time of the civil war. So many needless deaths.
Glad to have seen it. It’s one I’ve always wanted to see.
Glory was at the time of this review at #410 on my Flickchart list of shame (ranked #788 among the best films of all time). Here’s how it entered my chart:
Glory vs. Sunshine
If only the ending of Sunshine wasn’t a complete disaster…
Glory vs. The Great Dictator
Chaplin’s hard to beat.
Glory vs. Men in Black
Sequels weren’t great, but the first movie is pretty dang good.
Glory vs. Sliver
Not one that many people talk about any more. It’s an odd little mystery thriller. Very of it’s time. My favorite thing Sharon Stone’s ever done, though.
Glory vs. This Is Spinal Tap
Tap popularized and essentially invented the mockumentary. It gets a lot of points for being the first of a kind.
Glory vs. Mud
I think the human emotion is a little more raw and true in Mud. Glory has plenty of emotion, but it’s a little removed in spots.
Glory vs. The Adventures of Tintin
Definitely Glory. I need to push Tintin down. Such a disappointingly uninteresting movie.
Glory vs. Rush Hour
I don’t have anything bad to say about Rush Hour, but it’s a superficial comedy against a dram with purpose. Glory is going to win.
Glory vs. Firestarter
A Stephen King adaptation that is mostly forgotten. Glory wins.
Glory vs. Predators
No one knows what the heck to do with the Predator. Glory, easily.
Glory vs. Bridget Jones’s Diary
BJD is a really, really well-made romantic comedy. Glory comes close, but just barely loses out.
Glory is now ranked #747 out of 1540 movies on my Best Movies of All-Time chart.
It’s now #20 on my War movies chart and my 15th favorite film from 1989.
Next up is American Graffiti and Summer Hours. In the meantime, check out the other films I’ve ranked during the challenge.
