THE MISSION (1986) *** It's funny, I guess, how this was perceived as a very political film, at the time, and now a historical one. Then it was anti-Reagan South American policy. Now it's pro-good guys. Funny how things seem to change, just by us creepin' around at the corners of 'em. It's the same film. It's the same point. The problems depicted are the same problems and: to what extent are "passive" and "ineffective" the same adjective when coupled with "resistance." The rest of it is just souls vs. big business, I guess. Philip Berrigan's in it, and his brother Daniel's spirit is a star. Not that this has anything to do with Vietnam. Only souls, only big business, nothing to do with Vietnam. Or South America, or anywhere else for that matter. If you can't see that it's only a movie, don't even look at it. Ahem. Ballsy move by the principals (Robert De Niro, Jeremy Irons, Roland Joffé), and unlike so many similar films, this one isn't consumed by its own ambition. It does work even simply, as a movie to watch with your popcorn. For anyone empty enough to see that. They can admire the very pretty trees and beautiful colors and costumes, they can groove to the local sounds. When is there anything wrong with that? When it is enough? When is anything ever enough, here? It's all this bloody line drawing that's making my tea schedule run late!
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