DVD Reviews

The Way Back

• Rating:
• Director: Peter Weir
• Starring: Colin Farrell
• Details: US/PG 131mins

Somewhat predictably, Peter Weir's first film in several years boasts universally outstanding performances. The Aussie is often commended for his ability to direct actors, and The Way Back is no exception. It's just a shame then, that this noble but often dull production doesn't live up to its obvious awards-calibre potential in other areas. However, it still makes similar Daniel Craig-starrer Defiance look even more inept in comparison.
Talented British actor Jim Sturgess plays Polish solider, Janusz. When the Russians invade Poland in 1939, he is sent to one of the toughest prisoner camps in the world, deep within the bowels of Siberia. As soon as he arrives, he begins thinking of a way to escape, and some of his fellow prisoners (including Ed Harris's mysterious American, and Colin Farrell's Russian criminal) want in on his plan. But escaping proves to be just a fraction of the challenge, as they must embark on a Lord of the Rings-style trek to the Mongolian border to avoid recapture and an even longer imprisonment.
It's still pretty much fair to say that Weir has never made a bad film - just some that are better than others. The story here is certainly a rousing tale of triumph over adversity, but it feels stretched to snapping point. When broken down, The Way Back is essentially a story about people walking somewhere, with some of them dying along the way. That might be the most simplistic way of looking at a film that takes its cues from an incredible true story, but there really isn't a whole lot of drama here, and a lot of the movie subsequently feels repetitive, save for the differing locations.
Performance-wise, it's difficult to choose a highlight. The whole cast impresses: Sturgess projects the humanity of his character brilliantly without ever over-selling it, Farrell is great in what is very much a supporting role, while Ronan makes a big impact in a short space of time. But it's veteran thespian Ed Harris who sets the pace for the rest of the cast to follow, with his intense performance of an emotionally fractured prisoner. The pain of his past is evident on his face before he ever utters a word.
The Way Back is a well made, brilliantly acted film from an underrated director who mixes the intimate and epic with ease. Its story, however inspiring, just isn't a particularly eventful one.

Review by Mike Sheridan