Synopsis: Another film based on a true story, this time it's about Eric Lomax who 30-odd years after the end of the second world war is still suffering terrible post traumatic stress because of his experiences as a prisoner of war working on the construction of the Thailand/Burma railway. When he discovers that one of the those involved in his treatment is still alive he decides to settle the score.
Stan's thoughts: Colin Firth plays the older Lomax and Jeremy Irvine plays the younger and this is another distressing and difficult film to watch (probably best not seen as a double bill with 12 Years A Slave as I did).
Lomax's story is a difficult one to tell because essentially he's a man who won't or can't talk about what is distressing him and Firth does his best at showing a man with inner turmoil. What did pack the punch were the flash back scenes to wartime which finally do reveal the extent of what he experienced as POW. Irvine's performance as the quietly brave and somehow the least likely of heroes was a pleasure to watch.
I wasn't aware of the real story on which the film is based but the ending wasn't really a surprise and therefore probably didn't quite have the impact it was suppose to.
Ratings
- Stan's: 70%
- IMDB: 73%
- Metascore: 70%
- Rotten Tomatoes: 69%
- RT audience rating: 81%
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