2 Thumbs up for 5 Days of War

If I had more thumbs I'd put them up too.
I first caught the trailer for this film a few days ago. I posted a link on twitter and I watched as it spread like fire through the virtual Photog community.

Before this film the only slightly accurate portrayal of a news photog was Chris Elliot in Groundhog Day. Tonight I actually sat down and watched this film and I can safely say this is hands down the best portrayal of a news photojournalist in modern cinema. Throughout the movie I noticed many small things, there is a scene in which Sebastian(Richard Coyle) is sleeping in the basement of an old farm house. Fast forward to the morning and you can see Sebastian pulling a plastic shower cap off his lens, presumably to protect the lens from dust or dirt. Another scene has Sebastian finding and eating food in an abandoned shop while an army is trying to kill them(always eat when you get the chance!). The creators of this film took the time to think of small details such as these that help make the film that much more realistic.

Unfortunately in the course of a film they can't waste their time with recharging batteries, or explaining how tripods magically appeared for the hospital scene. Hell, I'm just glad they actually used tripods! Another thing that only our tiny nation will notice is the SAT truck used in the film. I'm not sure how they run SNG trucks in Georgia but I'm pretty sure, in fact I know from experience, that it takes a bit more than flipping a single switch to up link to a satellite. At least they didn't go live during any of the numerous chase scenes.

One of the most accurate parts of the film is also one that bothers me the most. It's the fact that everyone seems to think the reporter is the most important person, does all the work, and takes the most risks. He suffers more emotional trauma throughout the movie than Sebastian, presumably so we feel sad for him and actually care about him. This can all be summed up in one line that Sebastian says early on in the movie. "He tells me where to go, I just point the camera." Sebastian never once complains during the movie, he does just does what we all do, his job.

There are many other things which obviously are no where near reality. I won't tear them apart simply because I know they were created to add to the plot.

Stepping away from being a photog for a minute the movie was actually very good. The story and plot kept the viewers(my) attention right up to the end. If you are a war movie fan you will likely enjoy this film, just don't expect to see a lot of graphic images as that's not what this film is about. Part of the reason I enjoyed this movie so much was the never ending excitement/fear that the characters had to endure. I won't say it kept me on the edge of my seat, but my eyes were sore at the end from not having blinked in almost an hour. I wont be giving anything away by saying there is a little "love story" to this movie. You catch that vibe almost instantly. I'm never usually a fan of the addition of a love story to a war movie, this one was no exception, It could have gone without and still been a terrific watch.

Checkout Amanda Emilys blog for another take on the film. http://www.amandaemily.com/2011/07/27/verdict-on-five-days-of-war/

For all those that read through this review I leave you with some hope before you see the movie. Dutchman isn't in it much. But his one liners are pretty good.