One of the most difficult feats to accomplish is finding a war film that appeals to doves. I imagine it’s like finding a meat dish that appeals to vegetarians or an N.W.A. member that appeals to Trump voters. I won’t say Mel Gibson necessarily succeeded in doing exactly that, but it wasn’t for lack of trying. Private Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield) went into battle on the island of Okinawa in 1945 while refusing to touch a rifle or weapon of any kind. While few wars are going to be won by unarmed soldiers, no one can question the bravery or loyalty of Private Doss, who earned the medal of honor for his WWII service.
I gotta get a quibble out of the way, because it’s kind of material. Hacksaw Ridge stated that Doss volunteered for the war effort “like every other member” of his hometown when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Doss was 22 on 12/7/41, but didn’t see action until April of 1945. I wasn’t aware of the fact that the United States pulled its punches in WWII. I think we’d all have been a little happier if the war hadn’t taken so long. Am I wrong?
As a child, Desmond almost killed his brother in a fistfight gone out of control. Upon reflection, the camera finds the boy standing face to face with an artistic rendering of the ten commandments. His eyes stay glued to “Thou Shalt Not Kill.” This is his penance. Forever. He’s never gonna kill anybody. No way. No how. That didn’t stop him from killing a moment, however. After saving a guy’s life as a young man, Doss hangs out in the hospital and spots a gurl whoz reul perty. And I swear, this is what constitutes romance: The man walks up and stares slack-jawed at Nurse Dorothy Schutte (Teresa Palmer) until she gives him the time of day. This is the entire array of Doss’ moves. While one might find this refreshing or perhaps cute, I found it cringe-worthy. Damn, man, stop staring at her and say something … and the longer you stare? The more I think you don’t give a ramrod what comes out of her mouth.
Suffice to say, I was unimpressed with Act I. Do not let that deter you. The heart of this film is a man who wants badly to 
serve, is as brave and selfless as they come, but refuses to touch a weapon. There are problems. His Sergeant (Vince Vaughn) doesn’t like it. His Captain (Sam Worthington) doesn’t like it. His “roomies” don’t like it. Do you want a guy next to you in battle who won’t kill the enemy? I sure as Hell don’t. My odds of survival improve a great deal when the enemy is reduced, not just when I have a guardian angel. And yet, I came around. Act III is Gibson at his best, finding the hero in the man who won’t kill and telling us why this pacifist is exactly the greatest force on the battlefield.
Honestly, I don’t quite understand the battle of Okinawa. There’s a big cargo net leading up a cliff face to the field of play? Why didn’t the Japanese just cut it down? To give the Americans, literally, a fighting chance? This is also a film, unfortunately, that comes pre-parodied. If you’ve seen the Vietnam rescue scene in Forrest Gump, you have essentially seen Hacksaw Ridge. I don’t want to take away from the handling of the material – Forrest’s bravery is highlighted for comic effect. Doss’ actions are pure guts and God. Just know that the best part of this film can feel like a rerun. Still … it’s a relief to see Mel Gibson, a legitimately good director, on the right side of a conflict.
♪My my my my
Brother hit me so hard
Made me say “oh my Lord
Thank you for blessing me
With a set of rules
And two live feet”
It feels good
Not putting him down
Nor any street punks
From my hometown
And I know, as such
All of these weapons
I can’t touch
I told you, Gen’ral
I won’t fight this
Yeah, there’s only livin’ and ya know
I won’t fight this
Look at my hair, man
I won’t fight this♫
Rated R, 139 Minutes
D: Mel Gibson
W: Robert Schenkkan and Andrew Knight
Genre: War. What is it good for?
Type of person most likely to enjoy this film: Pacifists (ones who can stand a little blood, at least)
Type of person least likely to enjoy this film: Japanese soldiers
♪ Parody inspired by “U Can’t Touch This”
