artemis_5

"The Red Baron" represents the English nickname given to Manfred von Richthofen (Matthias Schweighöfer), the handsome aristocratic ace German fighter pilot of World War I who went on to become a legend in his country and abroad. As a fighter pilot experienced in dog fighting, von Richthofen sees war in terms of duels fought between individuals governed by the rules of gentlemanly sport. Enemy pilots become friends, and the object of aerial combat becomes forcing an enemy plane to land rather than killing its pilot. When his brother and fellow aviator causes a French pilot to crash and burn in front of his eyes, von Richthofen expresses dismay.

While stationed in France, he befriends a Canadian pilot after shooting him down named Captain Roy Brown (Joseph Fiennes), and begins a romance with a German nurse named Käte Otersdorf (Lena Headey). It is Otersdorf who introduces von Richthofen into the harsh realities of war when she takes him to a hospital ward filled with men who are horribly disfigured. Otersdorf comes off as an early 20th century pacifist; she treats soldiers regardless of their nationality and cannot understand why anyone would want to be a soldier. As a result of her feelings about war, she is initially put off by von Richthofen, but it should come as no surprise that she eventually succumbs to his charms.

Inspite of his relationship with Otersdorf, von Richthofen never loses his enthusiasm for combat, even taking to the air after suffering a serious injury. Von Richthofen's reasons for wanting to fly go beyond the natural desire of any pilot for risk and the sensation of souring like a hawk. He wants to be with his men, and he knows that the German fighting force looks to him for inspiration.

As for the presentation of Richthofen, my initial objection that Schweighofer looked too young to play an experienced pilot turned out to be unfounded once I researched the character. However, the fact that I later discovered that although Oterdorf was a real character, von Richthofen did not have a romance with her, made me feel that the filmmakers were playing down to the audience by playing the romance card unnecessarily. In addition, I was distracted by the obvious age difference between the two characters and their lack of chemistry. I found Von Richthofen, as portrayed brilliantly by Schwighofer, and his squadron interesting enough in and of themselves without Oterdorf.

Besides the casting, there were positive elements in the presentation of the film. The aerial combat was beautifully shot, and the score adequate. I recommend that you at least rent this film.

I grew up 3 blocks from the Richmond border, and am all too familiar with the poverty, violence, and desperation that plagues its residents. In Richmond, like in many parts of this country, young men cope with the rough environment in which they grew up by playing basketball (jerseys are sported by just about any boy under 22).

Having gone to high school with these kids (or rather with the Richmond kids who were bussed to my local high school), I became familiar with their subculture. What struck me most about the movie was just how well it captured the boys that I knew from Richmond. Maybe urban culture is the same around the country, but having grown up near Richmond and San Pablo (another neighboring city), they were the only urban youth with whom I was familiar.

By the way, in case anyone was wondering about the party in the wealthy neighborhood to which the Richmond basketball team was invited, here in the San Francisco Bay Area, the communities are so close together that it is not uncommon for kids from poorer areas to hang out in areas that are more affluent, or to go to parties in those areas. However, I have heard that in other parts of the country, the "borders" between urban areas and the suburbs are not as fluid.

I do not remember reading about the dramatic victories of the Richmond High basketball team in the local paper, but I did take a community college class taught by an instructor who my mother told me once had Coach Carter in his class, and many of my clients have kids who were or are students at Richmond High.

After seeing so many films about events that took place years ago and far away, it was refreshing to see an interesting film about a community with which I am somewhat familiar. This film is worth at least a rental, particularly if you are from the East Bay.

On another note: Go, CAL Bears.....

Usually when a director tries to remake a beloved story, he or she ends up butchering it. Just think of all of the television adaptations of fairy tales that fall short of their intended mark. This story, however, succeeds in being clever and sweet, while still maintaining the basic elements of the classic story. There is an evil stepmother who works the main character to the bone, evil stepsisters (or at least one evil stepsister), a prince who is looking for a wife, our heroine posing as nobility to win the prince's heart, and a glass slipper. Only, instead of a fairy godmother, we have Leonardo da Vinci.

The actors are interesting, the dialogue funny and touching. True Dougray Scott may be a little too mature to play the immature prince, but he is so wonderful that you forget his age. Drew Barrymore is delightful, and is brilliant when it comes to humor. Angelica Huston and Megan Dodds are deliciously evil, and Melanie Lynskey is well-cast as the sweeter and less glamorous of the stepsisters.

In short, this film would make a wonderful addition to your family's film collection, and would make a particularly nice gift for a young girl.