Undead Siskel

This movie hits all notes almost perfectly.  This is an extremely tactful look at what it takes to let someone know that their spouse, son, or daughter has died in a war.  This is one of the few movies that I actually took away something from and was emotionally reached.  It is so hard to watch these two men who are appointed to tell the families of the deceased, in these incredible scenes, that seem incredible because they are all in one long drawn out shot which draws the viewer in even more.  It doesn’t matter race, status, age, it is all shown in a realistic and respectful way.  The craft of the film follows a specific pattern which at first I thought I was tired of until I realized it was to help me get into the head of the main character and just what a war will do to a solider.  The dialog is never dull and the performances are stellar.  The lack of music and backround noise only add to the dark tone of the film.  There is an element of entertainment value missing though and I found myself nodding away, but never the less this is a strong film.