I was super excited about seeing this film. Being based on a true story and having Michael Caine in the main role seemed like a no brained. And as the title of the review suggests both the subject matter and Caine deliver.
However it's feels like the writer and director really dropped the ball on what could have been magnificent.
The real emotional bits are when they meet the Germans and when they go to the cemetery and both feel rushed and almost like they are skirted over.
The side story of the younger vet is also a missed opportunity. A way to show that whilst we have moved on from 1945 the troubles that veterans face is still the same. Caines companion on the trip comes out with a pretty big revelation yet you don't really see this story rounded out.
It's like the story with the young carer, it looks like it is going to have a deeper meaning but never really happens.
And the script is pretty poor. Glenda Jackson's character plays a key role in this story but only in the closing minutes does she recover from having spent the whole film being an annoying old woman pulling odd faces.
A bit gutted is the best way to sum up how I felt at the end, although had run out of tissues.
However it's feels like the writer and director really dropped the ball on what could have been magnificent.
The real emotional bits are when they meet the Germans and when they go to the cemetery and both feel rushed and almost like they are skirted over.
The side story of the younger vet is also a missed opportunity. A way to show that whilst we have moved on from 1945 the troubles that veterans face is still the same. Caines companion on the trip comes out with a pretty big revelation yet you don't really see this story rounded out.
It's like the story with the young carer, it looks like it is going to have a deeper meaning but never really happens.
And the script is pretty poor. Glenda Jackson's character plays a key role in this story but only in the closing minutes does she recover from having spent the whole film being an annoying old woman pulling odd faces.
A bit gutted is the best way to sum up how I felt at the end, although had run out of tissues.