A Private War
Celebrated war correspondent Marie Colvin is a woman who is as comfortable downing martinis with high society's elite as she is brazenly staring down warlords and fleeing from gunfire. Driven by an enduring desire to bear witness and give voice to the voiceless, Colvin charges into danger, constantly testing the limits between bravery and bravado.
Director:
Matthew Heineman
Cast:
Rosamund Pike, Jamie Dornan, Stanley Tucci
Screenplay:
Marie Brenner and Arash Amel
Screening Date:
Oct 27, 2018
Studio:
Aviron Pictures
Running Time:
1 hour 46 minutes
| Excellent | Very Good | Good | Fair | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47.6% | 28.3% | 22.6% | 1.5% | 0.0% |
“The truth is often difficult to watch. But watch we must if we
are to make changes for the better.”
“Much too sad and realistic of what is still happening.”
“This film is the most powerful combination of narrative and
documentary I’ve seen, for its subject and direction and editing.
What is so ironic is it unfolds the two stories, Marie Colvin’s
reporting and the story of her doing this with such skillful
design. I didn’t know of Marie Colvin until this film. Six years
after her death and I’m a pretty acute follower of news. This
made the film all more poignant.” Thanks Jeanne K
“In covering war can we really make a difference? That truly is
the question. What did she accomplish? 580,000 dead after
Homs?”
“A tough movie to watch. War is hell!”
“Jamie Dornan is very different here than in ‘FIFTY SHADES...’ If
only one-tenth of the people who saw those movies would see
this movie.”
“A tough film to watch, but worth seeing her story to know how
brave journalists are especially in war zones. Hers is an
amazing story.”
“Half the time I couldn’t tell who was who, but maybe that’s
the point about war.”
“Would have liked to have known more about her background.
Very difficult yet very rewarding to watch. Very powerful! Love
the story of a powerful woman. We could use her now! Great
timing for this film.”
“Rosamund Pike should get ready for huge number of
nominations and awards coming her way.”
“Marie was an amazing woman, but the bombings became
redundant. Very well-made movie. Would have liked to see
more of her family, her husband’s (?) family and her
upbringing.”
“The order of scenes was often confusing. What was Marie’s
PRIVATE WAR? The film didn’t connect and sustain mood or
theme.”
“Maybe the most powerful movie I’ve seen in a long time.
Knowing it is based on a real person and events is one thing but
it also looked real, felt real. Remarkable, must-see filmmaking.”
“What an incredible story, brave people willing to document
the horror of war still happening today. Very well filmed and
acted.”
“We have known forever that everybody losses in war except
arms dealers. Her conflicts were well depicted. Amazing she
lived to 56 with all the risks.”
“What an extraordinary journalist, home grown from the North
Shore of Long Island. Truly an amazing film. Addiction to war
certainly leads in one direction, ‘the horror!’ as Joseph Conrad
says in HEART OF DARKNESS. How did they get internet? Last
shot of camera rising above the buildings, her spirit rising over
the rubble is haunting, then we hear her giving her obituary.
Great directorial debut. Very powerful film. Quite an interview
with Gaddafi. 500,000 people killed by their own leader.”
“Very powerful to watch. Needs to be told… would have liked
more of her life on film. Too much violence.”
“Powerfully presented. But what does her reporting and her
tragic death do to change politics today? We still ask why?”
“Editing is confusing, otherwise fine film.”
“The most gripping film of the season, thank you John. It
reminds us that film can be a powerful force for change.
Change is a terribly slow process but it begins with awareness
and this story definitely gets a grip on your inner core and
doesn’t let go.”
“The press is not the enemy of the people, it is the front-line
defenders of democracy. Be very, very afraid of anyone in
power who says otherwise.”
“What a powerful and moving film. Rosamund Pike was superb
in her performance of a driven and complicated reporter whose
demons pushed her into the worst circles of hell. And the film
looks squarely at two hard facts, she and the other brave,
brave, foolish journalists like her put herself in danger for not
only the suffering of war victims, but also for all the viewers at
a safe range. The internal price paid by this journalist so
effectively portrayed in the editing and remembered scenes.
Fantastic story well-served by fantastic filmmaking. Loved the
Annie Lennox song over the closing credits.”
“Story that had to be told.”
“Tough to watch. Quite realistic.”
“Wow I will be thinking and talking about this movie for a while.
What horror, and it is still going on.”
“The topic is chilling, but is a movie, even a great one like this is
going to help this tragic situation? If this movie will help to
open some leaders’ eyes it will be worth it.”
“Matthew Heineman was and is the perfect choice to make this
film. The gripping scenes of refugees talking about their
personal horrors are unbelievably realistic, compelling, deeply
disturbing. What can we do?”
If you'd like to know more about the film...
https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2018/10/how-rosamund-pike-captured-... Rosamund Pike capurting the fearlessness of Marie Colvin
https://youtu.be/5ElpJYgARlQ Jamie Dornan, Rosamund Pike & Matthew Heineman: A Private War Interview
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/politics/2012/08/marie-colvin-private-war Marie Colvin's Private War
https://youtu.be/blhnjQWmydw Paul Conroy's "Under The Wire" book comes to life in his new documentary
https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/film/matthew-heineman-s-new-biop... This speaks about Matthew Heinman creating this biopic on Marie Colvin
