Movie Introduction"Queen & Country" is a 2015 British drama film directed by John Boorman as a sequel to his 1987 movie "Hope and Glory". This autobiographical motion picture explores Boorman's life during his mandatory military service in the early 1950s.
Plot SummaryThe movie focuses on Bill Rohan (Callum Turner), a Boorman stand-in, who is a young Englishman drafted into the military at the tail end of the Korean War. The storyline begins about a decade after the initial Hope and Glory, seeing Bill leaving his picturesque river island home on the Thames where he spent his childhood enduring the blitz of World War II. Rather of going to the front lines in Korea, he ends up being an instructor mentor brand-new recruits the marvels of typing and shorthand.
He befriends a prank-loving, rule-breaking fellow instructor, Percy (Caleb Landry Jones), who becomes his associate in arms. Diane (Tamsin Egerton), a captivating woman, ensnares Percy, while Bill carefully courts another lady, Ophelia (Vanessa Kirby). These romantic entanglements serve as the main subplot of the movie.
On the professional front, Bill and Percy shake things up when they end up being involved in minor disobediences and various pranks versus unsympathetic and stiff army authorities-- especially the psychologically unstable Major Bradley (David Thewlis), triggering much humor and mayhem.
Movie script and DirectionThe movie script cleverly juxtaposes the quaintness of Bill's family life in the house, their comical efforts with contemporary appliances like television, with the shenanigans at the military camp. The director seamlessly integrates the humor and love with an undertone of the extreme truth of the war in the backdrop. The film takes a classic take a look at the period, checking out how individuals adjusted in post-war Britain and did their bit in serving their nation, how relationships evolved, and the spirit of youth - the balance of enjoyable, naivety and clashing code of principles.
Cast PerformanceThe ensemble casts provide a great performance overall, with Callum Turner catching the innocence and confusion of his character with beauty. Caleb Landry Jones as the eccentric Percy, supplies a great contrast generating a mix of lightheartedness and strength. David Thewlis as the psychopathic Major gives a fine performance too. The females characters are underdeveloped however Tamsin Egerton and Vanessa Kirby pull through with their engaging screen presence.
Conclusion"Queen & Country" is a nostalgia-fueled coming-of-age legend unfolding versus the background of a country at war. Its light-hearted and humorous take on military life and young love, combined with great performances and Boorman's competent instructions makes it an interesting watch. While the film does use clichés, the poignant reflections on the inevitability of change, both personal and social gives it depth. Through the perspective of an engaging young protagonist, this movie paints a vibrant picture of 1950s Britain, marking an end of an era and the beginning of a new one.
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