Location: Chicago, IL
"The Blue Max"
Directed by Michael Mann
Screenplay by John Logan and Michael Mann
Produced by Michael Mann, Brian Grazer and Graham King
Executive Producers: Martin Scorsese, Ridley Scott, Tony Scott and Brad Grey
Art Direction by Wolf Kroger and Jim Erickson
Costume Designed by Sandy Powell
Cinematography by Dante Spinotti
Edited by Paul Rubell and William Goldberg
Main Cast
Ryan Gosling (Bruno Statchel)
Angelina Jolie (Countess Kaeti von Klugermann)
Geoffrey Rush (General Count von Klugermann)
David Strathairn (Otto Heidemann)
Vincent Cassell (Willi von Klugermann)
Max Von Sydow (Field Marshall)
Wes Bently (Red Baron-special appearance)
Tagline: "A soldier’s ultimate downfall doesn’t come from the enemy, but from within"
Synopsis: Two years ago, Bruno Statchel (Gosling) looked up at the dim grey sky that hung above his muddy trench. A single airplane flew across the horizon and reminded him of his inspiration to one day abandon the bloody ground warfare and reach for the only limit he felt could be put upon him: the sky.
Now the year is 1918, Germany is still in the heated battles with France and Britain during World War I, and Bruno has just graduated from the flying program. When he arrives with his new regiment, his only ambition is to earn the coveted “Blue Max”: the highest honor German fighter pilots can receive which honors twenty confirmed kills. While Bruno tries to fit in, his ambitions to attain the medal, as well as his lower class status, take its toll. His partner in the sky (Cassell) is a Blue-Max-honoree and thinks Bruno is an arrogant man. Bruno’s commanding officer (Strathairn) thinks the same. Someone who doesn’t is the General (Rush). The General sees Bruno as a national icon, a hero to boost the morale of the German people, and also uses his blessing to persuade the Field Marshall (Von Sydow) to push the release date of an experimental monoplane up even though it may cause the machine to be unsafe. He caters to him in every way, even showcasing his wife (Jolie) with whom Bruno begins to have a sultry affair with.
However, Bruno’s ego and ambition soon become problems. The Blue Max is all he can think about, and he will attempt to get it anyway possible, such as shooting down surrendered enemy planes in midair and claiming two kills that Willi had just before his own plane was shot down. People want to see him stopped, but the General persists. Finally, Bruno gets his twenty kills and at his ceremony to receive the medal, he is also going to be the first to test fly the new plane. However, news get out of his unfaithful two kills and his is scheduled to be court-martialed. The General sees this as terrible sign: if Bruno is disgraced, so will the entire German military, and the people will lose hope. The General orders Bruno to fly the plane, and when he does, the plane crashes, as the General expected, killing Bruno instantly. In the end, Bruno still got everything he wanted: the Blue Max, respect from the people, the honor of always being remembered as a national hero, and of course, the chance the fly.
What the Press would say:
Director Michael Mann’s enticing and exhilarating remake of the 1966 film is a marvelous triumph. Mann creates great emotional scenes with his actors in the quiet moments of the film and dazzles the eyes when we see the fantastic aerial fights. Mann’s stylish direction makes the film work. While many might think that the choice of Ryan Gosling to play a German pilot might not be the best, he puts all those thoughts aside. Gosling infuses Bruno with a great sense of wit and humor, while at the same time showcasing his arrogance and ambition which will make him so despised later on. It takes great acting to create such a hateful character, and Gosling pulls it off. As for the supporting players, Geoffrey Rush does a good job as a stern old man whose only wish is to see Germany succeed, and he will almost result to “Bruno” measures to see it through. Angelina Jolie is also all charm and sophistication as she seduces Bruno with her amazement, then uses her vibrant eyes to express her repulsion towards his new attitude. The screenplay by Mann and “The Aviator” writer John Logan touches on all the characters and their central emotions as well, and really enlightens the piece. The technical aspects are also amazing as well, with luscious sets and costumes along with magnificent cinematography, editing and sound designs in the fight scenes. The campaign consideration:
Best Picture
Best Director: Michael Mann
Best Actor: Ryan Gosling
Best Supporting Actor: Geoffrey Rush
Best Supporting Actress: Angelina Jolie
Best Adapted Screenplay: Michael Mann and John Logan
Best Art Direction
Best Costume Design
Best Cinematography
Best Film Editing
Best Sound
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