Director Ang Lee brings his extraordinary vision to Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, based on the widely-acclaimed, bestselling novel. The film is told from the point of view of 19-year-old private Billy Lynn (newcomer Joe Alwyn) who, along with his fellow soldiers in Bravo Squad, becomes a hero after a harrowing Iraq battle and is brought home temporarily for a victory tour. Through flashbacks, culminating at the spectacular halftime show of the Thanksgiving Day football game, the film reveals what really happened to the squad – contrasting the realities of the war with America’s perceptions. The film also stars Kristen Stewart, Chris Tucker, Garrett Hedlund, with Vin Diesel, and Steve Martin. Lee used new technology, shooting at an ultra-high frame rate for the first time in film history, to create an immersive digital experience helping him dramatize war in a way never seen before.
Believe it or not this is Steve Martin's first live-action feature film since The Big Year (2011) and first feature film since Home (2015).
Of course you will grab my attention when I hear of a project involving Ang Lee as the Director. I have loved many of his films and think he brings something visually stunning to the table.
Based on the trailer the acting looks to be spot on here. We get an incredible cast along with a newcomer to the Hollywood scene, Joe Alwyn. I was very surprised how well Joe comes across on screen and he seems to hold his own right alongside actors like Steve Martin and Vin Diesel.
With all that is going on in the world today, we have been bombarded with war films a plenty. While this film brings us a great Director, great cast and what looks like an intense emotional ride...only time will tell if they give us something to separate it from the many other war films.