An implausible plot doesn't prevent Harrison's Flowers from being a harrowing and moving depiction of the cost of war. Andie MacDowell stars as Sarah Lloyd, the wife of a photojournalist reported lost in the 1991 civil war raging between ethnic divisions in the former Yugoslavia. Refusing to believe her husband is dead, Sarah flies to Austria and then drives into the heart of the war, where she teams up with other photographers (Adrien Brody and Brendan Gleeson), who help her find a small town where her husband was last seen--while all around them rages one of the most horrific conflicts of the late 20th century. The story is barely credible, but the depiction of the war itself is stunning, and the depiction of the lives of photojournalists--partly thrill-seeking voyeurs, partly truth tellers--is complex and compelling. Though MacDowell isn't a great actress, all the performances are solid, and Brody is outstanding. --Bret Fetzer
A triple bill of excellent films featuring two-time Oscar winner Denzel Washington. Courage Under Fire (Dir. Edward Zwick 1996): January 1991 : The world is watching the Gulf War. Day and night millions tune into CNN-TV to see a real life and death drama played out in the cities and deserts of Iraq. As the US Forces take a starring role the PR department at the White House is working overtime. What they're looking for is a hero. What they find is a scandal. What a troubled officer must now uncover is the truth... Man On Fire (Dir. Tony Scott 2004): Denzel Washington stars as a government operative/soldier of fortune who has pretty much given up on life. In Mexico City he reluctantly agrees to take a job to protect a child whose parents are threatened by a wave of kidnappings. He eventually becomes close to the child and their relationship reawakens and rekindles his spirit. When she is abducted his fiery rage is unleashed on those he feels responsible and he stops at nothing to save her. The Siege (Dir. Edward Zwick 1998): When a crowded city bus blows up in Brooklyn and a campaign of terror begins to make its bloody mark on the streets of New York it's up to FBI special agent Anthony ""Hub"" Hubbard (Washington) and U.S. Army General William Devereaux (Willis) to find out who's responsible and put an end to the destruction. Together they face explosive danger at every turn when they team up to a wage an all-out war against a ruthless band of terrorists.
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