Film Review: Declaration of War
by
, 22-05-2012 at 13:33
(566 Views)
I don't mean to be unfair to Hollywood, but I've never warmed to Tinseltown's depiction of serious issues such as childhood cancer or infant mortality. I understand that the filmmakers don't want to depress anybody with such grave subject-matter, but by glossing over the fierceness of such traumatic events and diluting them in favour of a happy ending, I can't help but feel that Hollywood doesn't do justice to the big issues, or to the sufferers and their families that are forced to deal with these things.
European cinema, however, doesn't seem to mind getting its creative nails dirty to deal with big issues head-on, and Declaration of War is one such film. The French nomination for Best Foreign Film category at this year's Academy Awards, Declaration of War offers a startlingly realistic insight into how we cope when tragedy strikes, reminding us that in dark times we just have to find strength and get on with it in order to survive.
Declaration of War deals with childhood cancer, but is far from being a depressing film. In fact, it is one of the most entertaining, memorable films I've enjoyed in a long while. I'd highly recommend it, not least for its ability to discuss something so delicate with such grounded un-Hollywoodness.
Read my full review here
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