“Unbroken” leaves us wondering if we too are Unbreakable

Louis+Zamperini%2C+played+by+Jack+O%E2%80%99Connell%2C+along+with+two+other+men%2C+Domhnall+Gleeson+and+Finn+Wittrock%2C+were+stuck+at+sea+for+47+days+after+surviving+a+fatal+plane+crash%2C+only+to+be+captured+by+the+Japanese+and+sent+to+a+prisoner+of+war+camp.+Zamperini+contributed+a+huge+amount+to+this+film+but+unfortunately+died+a+couple+months+before+the+release+of+the+movie.

Louis Zamperini, played by Jack O’Connell, along with two other men, Domhnall Gleeson and Finn Wittrock, were stuck at sea for 47 days after surviving a fatal plane crash, only to be captured by the Japanese and sent to a prisoner of war camp. Zamperini contributed a huge amount to this film but unfortunately died a couple months before the release of the movie.

Based on the true story of a WW2 war veteran, “Unbroken” directed by Angelina Jolie, is an astonishing story about human endurance, but despite its storyline and its good cast, it proved to be underwhelming on the big screen.

The movie follows Louis Zamperini, played by Jack O’Connell, along with two other men. The three were stuck at sea for 47 days after surviving a fatal plane crash, only to be captured by the Japanese and sent to a prisoner of war camp. Once at the camp, Zamperini’s strength was tested numerous times by the brutal camp guard, “The Bird”, played by Japanese actor, Miyav.

Despite “Unbroken’s” length in time it fell short in needed detail which was very disappointing because it generated a lot of anticipation. The movie focused most on when Zamperini’s bomber crashed and his life as a prisoner of war. It didn’t show much of his pre-WW2 life, and showed close to none of his life after the war. These aspects were necessary to create a bond between the audience and Zamperini.

Whether Zamperini was floating in the middle of the sea, or being beaten in the war camp, the movie is full of exquisite images. Some of my favorite shots were when Zamperini was racing at the Olympics and also the scenes from his early childhood. I really enjoyed these scenes because they were very bright and uplifting.

Jolie was very interested in creating this movie not only because it was an amazing story about human tolerance, but also because of the added benefit of Zamperini actually being on set. He was able to contribute his ideas to the filming and to tell them first hand what happened. Because Zamperini and Jolie lived in the same California neighborhood they also often had meetings to talk about his experiences.

“Louis Zamperini would talk to me about how the shoes fit, how the uniform was cut, how the food tasted and how the girls looked — there was always a lot of talk about the food and the ladies!” Jolie said. Unfortunately Louis died July 2. 2014, just a few months before the release of “Unbroken.”

I give “Unbroken” a B- because of the lack of needed detail about his life before and after the war, which left me unsatisfied. However, it’s cast, stunning images and the story of human endurance easily distracts from the absence of needed components.