Storytelling is a complex process. It involves crafting a significant narrative without losing the focus for the story that needs to be told. And something Hollywood has to continue to learn is that sometimes the best strategy for telling a story is to avoid telling a different one, even if the other story is the one that has more flash.
There have been so many movies about World War II that it’s hard to believe so many of them are true. Or at least partially true. And Empire of the Sun is no different. What makes it stand out however is its use of implied events. For the United States especially, the war began and ended with our conflict with the Japanese. And just like our involvement, the movie also uses the two major Japanese events as its own framing device.
By placing the story of Jamie (Christian Bale) just outside of the well-known events of Pearl Harbor and the Atom Bomb, it helps keep us, as Americans, invested in a story we might otherwise not be aware of. Our current American culture is proving we don’t know as much about history as we claim, and so the movie effectively shows just how we require out own understanding to connect with a narrative.
And this idea continues because of our focus on a child living through these horrific events. By making the story a child, specifically one who has never had to wrestle with war as a horrific event, we get to see his discoveries in a unique frame of reference. And by choosing Jamie as our focal point it helps us also discover the horrors of the war along with Jamie, rather than knowing about them from one of the adults.
And all this is an effective narrative device. We don’t need to see the bombs drop and the major moments firsthand. We hear about the relevant details and see the fallout in the Japanese camp but we don’t actually get close enough to any one moment to experience it firsthand, and that makes the story unique and shows how sometimes the most effective narrative isn’t the flashiest one.
And this also helps us connect to the characters uniquely because we’re seeing all parties through a lens of curiosity rather than fear. And that makes this story one of a boy learning the horrors of war through those around him and discovering that the world is not a place to become excited by but something dangerous that breaks souls and bodies. And that makes this movie a tragedy of growing up too fast while not actually being close enough to understand the full picture.
So, let’s break everything down.
All Spielberg movies will be judged based on the same five pieces of criteria.
Acting – Are the performances good and do they serve the story or are they distracting and awkward?
Story and Dialogue – Does the story being told make sense and is the use of dialogue allow it to succeed or does the story struggle and/or the dialogue drag it down
Shooting and Editing – How is the camera used, how are the shots arranged, what other elements are used to enhance the movie?
Design – How does the movie look? Does it help the movie or hurt the movie?
Iconic Moment – Spielberg has made several big iconic moments throughout cinema, what are they, how many of them are there, and which ones stand out the most?
All these criteria will be judged on a score of 10 for a total score of 50.
So here is my breakdown of Empire of the Sun.
Acting – Christian Bale has so much weight on his shoulders as a 13 year old and he shows just why he’s become the movie star that he has since become. And his work is so much of the focus that we almost don’t get enough time with other characters to really understand them. However it’s still a strong cast and a great set of performances. (8/10)
Story and Dialogue – This story is so unique and it really works by ignoring much of the other conflicts of World War II. And while the narrative is a very standard coming of age emotional tragedy, the result feels fresher than most. (7/10)
Shooting and Editing – Some of the shots in this capture that sense of wonder, and others find that sensitive lens that needs to exist to help build these introspective moments. And everything feels curious rather than horrified, until it has to feel that way. (6/10)
Design – I love the way that Jamie looks throughout this movie. He just feels like a kid in a costume in the perfect way. And it’s helped by showing the ragged worn out aspects of the non-Japanese cast members starkly contrasting the Japanese. All in all it has some missing aspects but it works well. (7/10)
Iconic Moment – There is such a profoundly horrifying moment watching the distant effects of an atom bomb being dropped. It’s beautiful, profound and ultimately scarring when Jamie finally learns that this moment of beauty was in fact a monstrous moment of destruction. (7/10)
Total Score: 35/50
Current Ranking:
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Jaws
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Duel
Empire of the Sun
The Color Purple
Twilight Zone: The Movie
The Sugarland Express
1941
We’ve almost finished the 80s. A couple more movies and we’re getting into my lifetime. And while there is plenty left in the 20th century we can absolutely see the change as Spielberg moves away from pop culture sensation is growing. What comes next attempts to blend these ideas.
But until then, thanks for taking the time to get Ploominated!
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