The Lost Soldier

The war was brutal. Civilians were involved, and people died without any words, making the war even more brutal. I think Bille August told the story in a calm style. In this movie, you can see the poor but stable rural life (before the soldiers came). Jack and Ying didn't have the same language, and caused some conflicts, but finally they understood each other by gestures and emotions. I was deeply sad when I saw the ending. :(

Jack Turner (Emile Hirsch) is one of surviving Jimmy Doolittle raiders. He is being debriefed by his superiors. He recounts crash landing in China and rescued by local widower mother Ying (Liu Yifei). Her soldier husband was killed in Nanjing.

This is a Chinese film with an American star. There was a rash of them with Chinese money trying to make a Hollywood movie. It's surprisingly fine. The CGI green screen is a little outdated. The writing could be better. The romance is unnecessary and feels especially forced. There is better romantic potential with the teacher but I wouldn't want that either. There is some good tension but I would have liked to get moving sooner. This needs to be more of an escape road movie. This is a good first draft but it needs some refining.

The chinese widow seems like a promising movie. At first, the acting isn't that good and the CGI are awful but bareable. The scenes at the Chinese country side and the leading lady's life was interesting and eye catching. However, the story isn't as good as it should have been. Or, at least, the movie didn't excecute it well enough. The romance was quick and the ending even quicker. Actually, the ending was really bad.

A young pilot, Jack Turner, was saved by a young local widow named Ying, she risked her life and daughters as she hid the injured American pilot in her house. This is a good story of how she helped him get escape. The films based on true story of Americans escaping Japanese controlled China during second World War with the help of local people.

Based on true facts, it is a very reasonable film, but despite the romantic and dramatic plot, it is too documental.

I recommend it for its historical value.