SMT Weekly Flick by Paul Krismantis
Hope Survives
Daniel Craig leads a group of rogue Jews during WWII in Defiance.
Defiance (Rated R) 137 mins
Think what you will about war. Some say it is a necessary evil when fought for the right cause, others think it is just evil no matter the circumstance. Either way, it is pretty much beyond debate that war, like every other dire time, produces heroes. When the worst is brought out of some, the best is brought out of others. It reminds us not only of the dark side of humanity, but also of the incredible good we humans are capable of when willing. This week’s Defiance is a film that reminds us of that.
Based on a true story from World War II, Defiance is the story of three Jewish brothers from Belarus who chose to defy the destiny the Nazis had chosen for them, and as a result saved over a thousand others. The “Bielski Partisans” were the largest and most successful group of Jewish resisters in the war. They lived in the woods, creating their own society in which they even had a hospital and a tannery. Edward Zwick (Glory, Last Samurai) makes sure to display all these amazing facts in his film, as well as address the numerous ethical questions such a rogue society would face in its situation. The result is a compelling film that gives tribute to the best parts of human nature while never forgetting the worst.
The driving force behind Defiance is the relationship between the three brothers. Raised as farmers with excellent survivor skills and possessing fiercely strong wills, the Bielski brothers were perfect for their role in history. Daniel Craig is spot-on as Tuvia Bielski, the oldest brother whose primary concern is saving as many Jews as possible. Zus Bielski is the middle brother played by an electrifying Liev Schreiber. As hardheaded as Tuvia, Zus believes that surviving is not a strong enough response to their hunters, and instead of staying with the group he chooses to leave and fight alongside the Russians (who, ironically, hate the Jews as much as the Nazis). Caught between his two older brothers is the young Asael (Jamie Bell) who idolizes Tuvia and chooses to stay alongside him, but never loses the desire to draw Nazi blood. It is their relationship and the conflict between Tuvia and Zus, which is the heart of Defiance the film. Both passionate for their race, they stand united in the desire to help others survive, but divided in their approach. Craig and Schreiber are brilliant in their portrayal of the brothers’ clash, showcasing the very true intensity that appears when brothers, especially those who are strong-willed, butt heads.
Along with the excellent performances of Craig and Schreiber, Defiance is wonderfully shot by Zwick, a director who has always shown a great love for historical theater, and it always comes through in his attention to detail. The only place the film truly lacks is in its scope. With so much focus on the events within the group, there is little given the viewer about what is going on around. There is always an impending feeling hanging over the group that the Nazis may attack at any moment, but we are never shown exactly what their army is doing. This creates a sometimes-cramped feeling to the film, which Zwick very well may have intended, yet it may leave some feeling less engaged.
This is not to take away from the message of this film. It is a tale of hope and inspiration, and it is well timed during a period when we are also often facing an enemy who wants us to die merely for being us. This, coupled with being in the midst of financially hard times has left a good deal of people without hope. But Defiance reminds us that hope springs eternal and that we are capable of surviving much more than we credit ourselves to do. It shows that even the most unlikely of us can be heroes if we choose to be when the opportunity presents itself. Thanks to the Bielski brothers, there are tens of thousands of Jews alive today who would not be otherwise, and they were simple farmers. Their story is one that should not be missed.
SCORE 4/5.
