WAR MACHINE
US, 2017, 122 minutes, Colour.
Brad Pitt, Daniel Betts, John Magaro, Emory Cohen, Topher Grace, Anthony Michael Hall, Anthony Hayes, Alan Ruck, Griffin Dunne.
Directed by David Michod.
War Machine is a strong satire on the American military, American politics, American media, American propaganda, beginning with the war in Iraq but principally the war in Afghanistan.
The film was written and directed by David Michod who made an impact with his Animal Kingdom, followed by The Rover – and later, the tour de force about Henry V, Kings.
The focus of the film is an American commander, Mc Mahon, veteran, the embodiment of the stern command, forever exercising jogging, confident in himself, transferred to Afghanistan, the authorities relyong on him to succeed.
What follows is observation on the war in Afghanistan, the role of President Bush, expectations of American command. In fact, the war does not go the way that was intended, Mc Mahon having to go to Europe to gain support (and meeting his wife whom he rarely saw), being followed by an ambitious journalist from Rolling Stone.
The film has a very strong cast with Brad Pitt doing an interesting variation on his frequent roles as Mc Mahon.
The film was not a successful commercial venture on its release.
1. The title? The American military? The background of the 20th century, 9/11, the invasion of Afghanistan, the longtime presence of the US in Afghanistan?
2. The critique of the war machine, America, invading, ruling, saving and wanting to help, hostility to the American presence? Insurgency, counterinsurgency? The background of the military chiefs, the politicians? The role of the media?
3. The Afghan settings, Kabul, the military posts, the desert, Helmand province, the village? The contrast with Paris, the building sequences, the tarmac in Denmark? The musical score?
4. The aftermath of 9/11, the role of allocator, the invasion of Afghanistan, the motivations? American assertion? The role of the Taliban and its background, the attitudes of the population, of the government, of president Khazai? The missions, the influence of George Bush, of president Obama?
5. Brad Pitt as Mc Mahon, his age, experience, military person, physical prowess, the scenes of jogging? In the uniform, with his men, his background from Iraq and reputation? Self-confident?
6. The journalist from Rolling Stone, the narration, his observations, moralising, meeting Mc Mahon in Europe, the interviews, the final article? The condemnation?
7. Mc Mahon and his entourage, tough, studying in the past, the various jobs, military advice, personal loyalties? William and his personal service? The media officer and his being contradicted? The lobbyist and his being paid to go to Afghanistan? Their work together, collaborating?
8. The politicians, Dick and the connection with the White House, relationship with Mc Mahon, the other experts? The meetings and discussions? Policy, no troops, Mc Mahon demanding them? The characters, political gamesmanship? The Secretary of State and echoes of Hillary Clinton?
9. The mission in Afghanistan, the survey, travelling, the interviews with President Khazai – and the touch of mockery? Issues of democracy, traditions, the role of the president, watching American television? Been inaccessible?
10. The young troops, after their leave in Italy, their being deployed, their being glum? The officer in charge, the African- American and his criticisms? Mc Mahon and his talking with them, morale boost?
11. The visit to Paris, Mc Mahon meeting his wife, infrequently over the year, yet her being happy being there, the meals, the discussions? Going to Berlin, the visuals, the German politician and her questions and accusations? The Rolling Stone journalist, the entourage and then drinking – and this later being quoted?
12. Helmand province, the British advisor against it, the deployment, the attack, few people in the village, the snipers, the family and the child’s death, Mc Mahon offering money compensation and apology?
13. The journalist and his ambitions, to succeed, the Rolling Stone article, his reaction? The criticisms of the lobbyist? The reactions of the media man? His being summoned by the president – after the brief meeting of the tarmac?
14. Mc Mahon, finished, the return, instruction work?
15. How real? How ironic? The critique?
