Tonight Beth and I watched a screening of Unbroken, based on Laura Hillenbrand’s book about WWII survivor, Louis Zamperini. Angelina Jolie produced and directed the film. Area church leaders were invited to watch it for free. I read the book a couple of years ago (one of the best non-fiction books I’ve ever read), and jumped at the chance to see it. I received a gob of emails asking me to consider promoting it and using their material designed for small group discussions.

So there we sat, reclined in our comfy chairs, watching the unrelenting story of suffering and resiliance. Since it doesn’t come out until Christmas Day, I thought I’d give a two-minute review. I’ll leave in-depth reviews to the experts. Here goes:

1. It will surely be considered for a Best Picture Award.  The writing, acting, score and cinematography is terrific.
2. It stayed true to the first 2/3 of the book. Everything I remembered about their time at sea, which has been glued to my mind, was depicted. I appreciated that.
3. I wish it would’ve showed a little more of how the POWs retained their hope through the smallest of tricks.
4. If your church plans to use the movie as a basis for small group discussions, you’re hurting for material. And if you’re thinking about plugging it from the pulpit, plug the book instead. I’m glad when Hollywood makes great films. But when they market films to churches, especially films that have been spiritually stripped down, it feels like we’re getting played. When I’m told, “It’s one of the greatest stories of forgiveness ever told,” you’d expect at least one scene of forgiveness. I’m not angry about the movie. I liked it. But dishonestly marketing it to churches disappoints me.

Upon returning home, anger and addiction was wrecking Zamperini’s marriage and life. That’s when the greatest rescue in his life occurred. The Rescue! The book goes into beautiful detail about this. I trust Jolie could’ve created a powerful scene full of healing and redemption, with one of the great American icons in the backdrop (Billy Graham). Instead, she acknowledged God’s work in Zamperini’s post-war life in the epilogue. Directors have to make choices. She made hers. I’m glad she at least acknowledged his faith. But oh, what could’ve been.

Summary: I’m glad I watched the movie. I personally recommend it (not to kids). But read the book too.

jolie movie review unbroken