Peter Berg’s war film, “Lone Survivor,” brought audiences to tears with its depiction of dedication to a nation and the heroic story of brotherhood. The film dramatizes the failed Navy SEAL mission Operation Red Wings, and follows the four members of SEAL Team 10 as they set out to capture and kill Taliban leader Ahmad Shahd.
Mark Wahlberg embodied ultimate patriotism and sacrifice during his life-changing role as Marcus Luttrell, the single survivor from the failed operation. Wahlberg shared the screen with an equally devoted cast: Taylor Kitsch (playing Michael Murphy), Emile Hirsch (playing Danny Dietz), and Ben Foster (playing Matt ‘Axe’ Axelson).
The four demonstrated a commitment to accuracy participating in a three-week-long training course in New Mexico led by the real-life Marcus Luttrell and several other Navy SEAL Veterans. During the course, the cast mastered the technical and physical aspects of playing a Navy SEAL, which resulted in a realistic performance from the group.
While Wahlberg and his costars delivered a touching performance, the true internal struggles of morality and war within each character was merely superficial. Close to accuracy as the film could be, the character development of Luttrell is better spelled out in his book: “Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10.”
The action, however, was beyond gripping and created an overwhelmingly intense story that offered no break in suspense throughout any part of “Lone Survivor.” Extreme kudos must be offered to the stunt doubles that endured the gut-wrenching cliff falls that left many of the doubles bruised and battered. The scene was brought to life due to the sound effects and camera angles that caused audience members to cringe in their seats.
In a breach of accuracy, Berg improvised a Hollywood finish – the epic gun battle while Luttrell was being sheltered by the villagers – which strayed from the true, less climactic rescue of the SEAL. The typical action scene proved unnecessary in that it was seemingly used to satisfy the war-junkie members of the audience.
Berg, despite his alternate artistic ending, received an abundance of praise for the film’s precise portrayal of modern warfare and the men who courageously risk their lives in the service of our nation.
“Lone Survivor” is not for the more sensitive moviegoers; those that tear up at cliché fictional movies will certainly ball over the tragic deaths of the SEALs as well as the photos of the real people that died which are shown at the conclusion of the film.
More than just another war film, “Lone Survivor” is a tribute to Luttrell’s comrades and ranks among the top movies of its genre such as: “Saving Private Ryan” and “Black Hawk Down.”
