War Machine (2017) - movie review

War Machine – rating (2.5/5)

Cast : Brad Pitt, Daniel Betts, Ben Kingsley, Anthony Michael Hall, Topher Grace, Tilda Swinton

Directed by David Michod

Review by Zulfiqar

            The only problem with war Machine is that it doesn’t give a proper ending. It however rightfully elaborates the problem of America’s war in Afghanistan. The newly appointed US army unit head in the above mentioned country, General Glen McMahon, is at confusion of solving the problem of insurgency. He wants to turn a new leaf, but at the same time is faced with the biggest dilemma of US army’s presence in the war-strife nation.

            His internal thought is rightly voiced in the form of a young sergeant, who questions him rebelliously as to what exactly their unit’s position was. The young fellow is confused when he is decreed by his superiors that they will be rewarded if they are a little inhibitive in their aggression. He, like the general, is at quandary as to what to do with the enemy, if not fight it, when it surprisingly at anytime may. Glen McMohan has good intentions of educating the country and making the country progress, so that it will focus towards development rather than war.

            But he soon understands that America can’t reform the whole world. The mission of his soldiers in that foreign part of the world would never bear fruition, not only because of insurgency, but even because of critics back at home. The army is involved in a vicious cycle of no-result and putting more effort due to guilt.

            Director David Michold gives a humorous tone to the movie introducing the caricateurish team of General McMohan. His deputy, Greg Pulver, has stuck to his side all through his life and just knows following orders and having problem in controlling his temper. The PR, Matt Little (Topher Grace) complicates things humorously by manipulating an interviewer while she questions the general regarding his mission. He has a mind probably to sabotage the whole mission and return home. The techie, Andy Moon (RJ Cyler), cooperates with his boss in losing electronic communications whenever some diplomat tries to convey a contradictory chore.

            Though General McMohan comes with the intention of achieving what his predecessor hasn’t, he finishes in finding the reasons why the latter had failed. Over the years, Brad Pitt has evolved in taking roles which are more mature for his earlier youth and gutsy characters. His role has a nice caricateurish bit, which is quite comic. And the confused persona with authority is equally pitiable and humorous. Though McMohan’s character has a subtle position of dilemma, it is ruined by the writing which doesn’t have a fruitful or at least meaningful end. There are rare occasions when there are frank laughs while the general holds court with the bureaucrats. But they are brief and few.

Ben Kingsley in the shoes of the Afghan Premier has a role who knows he doesn’t have control. Humorously, he finds comfort in enjoying the little trinkets, his title brings. Tilda Swinton in the role of a European journalist is an interesting distraction with her vitriolic questions directed at the General and at US for stirring the already troubled waters of murky middle-east/Afghan politics. The dilemma of the general teaches him the futility of army’s invasion to inculcate peace in a foreign land. Only if the plot would have been more definitive, this could have been such a good movie.