Unbroken (3/24/2015)

Rated PG-13 for war violence including intense sequences of brutality, and for brief language.

Starring Jack O’Connell, Domhnall Gleeson, Garrett Hedlund, Takamasa Ishihara, Finn Wittrock and Jai Courtney

Directed by Angelina Jolie

Unbroken is the best movie I’ve seen this year. And although it was the first movie I’ve seen in 2015, I think that statement will hold true for some time.

Academy Award winner Angelina Jolie directs and produces Unbroken, an epic drama that follows the incredible life of Olympian and war hero Louis “Louie” Zamperini (Jack O’Connell) who, along with two other crewmen, survived in a raft for 47 days after a near-fatal plane crash in WWII—only to be caught by the Japanese Navy and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp.

Unbroken is adapted from Laura Hillenbrand’s enormously popular book that tells the unbelievable and inspiring true story of the life of Louis Zamperini, who passed away in July at the age of 97. As you watch the events of his life unfold, each more dramatic that the last, you will either be completely drawn in or you will quickly lose interest. For me I was drawn in almost immediately and grew to appreciate Louis more with each passing minute.

Over the next 137 minutes, I watched a man suffer more than any one person should and rise above it more that most ever would. And Jack O’Connell delivers a performance Louis Zamperini’s family can be proud of. The rest of the cast including Domhnall Gleeson, Garrett Hedlund, Takamasa Ishihara and Jai Courtney are all really great. Yes, I said Jai Courtney is great. And I have to make special mention of Finn Wittrock. Anytime you walk out a theater “hating” a character, they have done their job. He is so good at being bad.

Angelina Jolie has taken her share of shots over this film. Christian groups said there wasn’t enough of his faith-story, others said it was too preachy. Some even said the film fell flat. I disagree with all those comments. I thought Jolie did an amazing job of telling this story.

Unbroken is, a well-crafted movie based on a remarkable life. A great story about a great man is now a great film, for me it is “Worth Buying.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Teenagers should definitely see it, but this movie would be far too intense for younger viewers.

CONVERSATION STARTER:

1. What is the line we hear several times in the film that inspires Louis? (“If I can take it, I can make it.”)


2. How did that line inspire him to persevere?

Read James 1:12

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

And

Romans 5:3-5


More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.


3. What is going on in your life that you would call a trial?


4. How could those verses help you persevere?