May 25, 2001

By Veronica Mixon

First off, PEARL HARBOR is too long! While the filmmakers have created a wonderful, dramatic spectacle, the simplicity of the story concerning two best friends who fall in love with the same woman just before the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor could have been told in a lot less than three hours. But, I doubt if this fact will keep audiences away from the big-budget spectacle.

PEARL HARBOR, with its cast of thousands, zeroes in on the friendship of two ace pilots, Rafe McCawley (Ben Affleck) and Danny Walker (Josh Hartnett) who are stationed in Hawaii. Rafe meets pretty nurse, Evelyn Johnson (Kate Beckinsale) and they fall in love. Eventually, Rafe volunteers for a mission in England, since the United States isn't officially in the war yet, but promises he'll return to Evelyn. When he's shot down, his heartbroken lover and best friend comfort each other. Then, Rafe returns but before anything can truly be solved, the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor.

It's an hour before the bombing sequences begin and director Michael Bay develops a convincing though conventional love story. Handsome Ben Affleck is perfectly cast as the brash pilot who sweeps the lovely Kate Beckinsale ("The Golden Bowl") off her feet. But, it's actor, Josh Hartnett, in his most adult role to date, who excels. As Danny, he's shy and less ambitious than his boyhood pal, Rafe. Nevertheless, Hartnett, who is best known for "The Faculty" and "Here On Earth," proves to be an excellent leading man. His love scenes with Beckinsale are magically erotic. And, the love story is surprisingly good despite the corny lines and predictable outcome.

The second part of PEARL HARBOR is excellent with dramatic explosions and that's no surprise since blockbuster-making producer, Jerry Bruckheimer is connected to the film. The action sequences with tornados fitted with wooden propellers and the aerial attack and flying of Japanese planes over American domestic scenes like baseball games are stunning. These are all wonderful breathtaking poster shots of an idealized America. But, the innocence of our culture juxtaposed with Japanese divisiveness is a bit much. Sadly, the filmmakers have shortchanged the audience on some basic historical facts. The reason the United States' delayed entry into the war and for Japan's decision should have been stated clearly especially since the filmmakers claim to have gone out of their way to be sensitive to the feelings of all parties concerned.

PEARL HARBOR should have been a rich, complex look at life fifty years ago. The balance of power was shifting and the world on many levels was changing and shaking of the status quo. The filmmakers missed a chance to explain the desperation of the Japanese and why they acted in such a manner. Instead we get the usual theme of a dreaded enemy attacking innocent people.

Veteran Asian-American actor, Mako ("Seven Years in Tibet") and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa ("The Art of War") give wonderful performances as Japanese commanders. There is also fine acting from an extraordinary ensemble cast including Tom Sizemore, Peter Firth, Scott Wilson, newcomer, James King, Dan Aykroyd and Alec Baldwin as Col. James Doolittle. Another veteran actor, Jon Voight is outstanding as President Franklin Roosevelt. Cuba Gooding, Jr. plays Dorie Miller but, unfortunately, his storyline is never developed and he's barely has four scenes. Once, again, the filmmakers failed to show the change in the wind. While a frustrated Dorie Miller grew impatient as a cook in the Navy, he boxed white sailors. There is only a hint of the racial tension. Also, when the attack begins a badly wounded soldier rejects the help from an Asian doctor and there is only one shot of Hawaiians in the melee. The filmmakers choose to ignore the obvious and to make the conflict simply black and white - i.e., the American vs. the Japanese.

Unfortunately, PEARL HARBOR lacks the rich tapestry of people and history. However, I think audiences will be attracted by the hype and find the film entertaining.