Lebanon

Lebanon was one of the realest, most intense war movies I've seen. It was completely gripping from the opening credits which show an eerily still, endless field of sunflowers until the final scene of the same setting. The film takes the viewer inside an Israeli Defense Force tank during the Lebanon War in 1982. The entire movie takes place in the tank and all that is seen outside is through the scope of the vehicle. There is no break from action in this film as the members of the tank are faced with countless dangerous missions. The young soldiers must fight through fear and inexperience to make it out alive. The dialogue is superb going form heart wrenching conversations to the occasional lines of comic relief. The acting was perfect as these actors all surely served in the army in real life. The manner in which the city is seen through the scope is pure genius and could not be exacuted in a better way. Not only are you engulfed in the experiences of the young men of the IDF and view their maturation, but to be a part of and view such a motion picture is to grow yourself. This film left me feeling paralyzed for at least a minute after it ended. It is in Hebrew and is even better if understood in that language as opposed to subtitles. Truly an accomplishment; kudos to writer/director Samuel Maoz. 4 stars.