Beaufort (2007)

Terrible acting, screenplay and direction.

Disturbing yet enthralling

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

Yes, absolutely, there is fun to be had, as well as many, many things to go boom, all amid an atmospheric urban jungle.

I wanted to love this movie, because I was blown away by the book. Obviously, I came away disappointed. Beaufort isn't a bad movie by any means--it's well-acted, has some excellent cinematography, and builds a great deal of tension in many of its tightly executed scenes. However, the film's two hours do not seem to have been enough to fully develop its myriad of characters, which was the novel's greatest strength. The relationships between characters are unclear; when characters are killed, their fellows in the film mourn them, but the audience has not had enough time to grow attached in the same way.Part of the problem may be that the film lacks the unique narration of the main character, Erez, that helped to make the novel so engaging. Perhaps another is that the film tries to follow the novel too closely-- it may be heresy to suggest, but perhaps an adaptation that strayed more from the source material might have succeeded more in establishing character and an emotional resonance with the audience.Beaufort is still an interesting film--few other war movies achieve this level of claustrophobia and paranoia, and, as I mentioned, the acting is solid (at least, as far as I can tell without being able to speak Hebrew). Unfortunately, it pales in comparison to the source material.

This film is not technically a war movie, it is about soldiers at war and the effects of war on soldiers. In a way, it is the same type of movie as A WALK IN THE SUN, THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES, and FULL METAL JACKET. It is not a movie about great wars, great battles or massive invasions, but one where there are long periods of inactivity punctuated with short periods of incomprehensible frenzy. The Left Elbow Index considers seven elements of film--acting, production sets, plot, character, character development, continuity, artistry, and dialogue--on a scale from a high of 10 to a low of 1, with an average movie rating a 5. It attempts to avoid emotional judgment based on the political elements of films such BEAUFORT, which like almost all Mideast films related to longstanding tensions tend to affect one's judgment of a film depending on which side of the conflict one finds oneself. The acting in this film looks reasonably good,it is measured, it is controlled, and the characters seem "real." The acting rates a 7. The production sets seem carefully constructed and authentic looking, there rating another 7. The plot seems average, a 5, with the main emphasis being on what will happen to the fort, and when. Another 5 for character development. The are some high points, but soldier's development can only go so far due to the implicit restraints of military service. Film continuity appears good, a 7, since the dramatic tone is constant. The use of high-tech equipment, the futility of war, and the eternal questions of war never leave the film. The artistry rate highest of all, an 8, due to the quality imagery and good cinematography. Also, Joseph Cedar's direction tends to focus directly on the main idea of each scene. In fact, in places, it causes the viewer to be as restless as the characters since one is unable to escape the tone of the moment. Dialogue is clever in spots, yet average overall--a 5. In a film where characters are ruled by a sense of duty, there is not much to say. The Left Elbow Index rating results in a 6.28, somewhat better than average. There are three concepts is this film which may drive you mad: duty has its price, our's not to question why, and military life amid changing orders. The film is well worth seeing, and I recommend it.

Recap: The story of the last few weeks of Israel occupation of the castle Beaufort, a strategic stronghold highly contested by rivaling armies at least since the crusades. Now the last Israeli soldiers find themselves trapped by the enemy fire and the inability of their superiors to protect or withdraw them.Comments: Quite a strong statement, without really taking any sides, except the side of the soldiers. It has a very realistic feel about it, and one get a glimpse of what life in a surrounded fort could be like.Mostly good acting, and not surprisingly a few sympathetic characters to care about. There were some odd behavior though from a few, but that is not really surprising either.I had a little trouble to really care for or get an interest in the move though. It might have been that the story doesn't seem to have any real direction, no end or purpose. It's mostly a chain of events outside the control of any of the characters. Therefore there is little suspense in seeing what happens next as it doesn't really connect to what happened before.Still a sober and honest depiction of what might war might really look like. A different kind of war movie. Well worth a watch, Oscar-nomination and all.6/10

It's about Israeli soldiers holding down a fort in Southern Lebanon, but it could be about soldiers anywhere. That is what makes this film so memorable.Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Iraq, it is all the same when it comes to politics and the soldiers that have to carry out the policies made by chickenhawks far removed from the front.It is touching and funny at times. I could really relate to the truck arriving with fresh supplies after a long wait. It is common and a hot meal at midnight is much appreciated when you have been running low.It shows real soldiers doing real grunt work. It is an outstanding film.