A wild film about a group of revolutionaries and the military man who comes hunting for them 16 years later, One Battle After Another sports an excellent cast and some gorgeous cinematography.
A film with a great cast is enough to entice anyone to see a movie. Filmmakers know it, actors know it, and audiences know it. It’s part of why they bring in the big names. But there was something about this trailer that didn’t spark my interest. No shade to the trailer editors, but the look of Leo running around like a crazy man just didn’t make me want to buy a ticket. Even when they flashed on the calm of Benicio del Toro sitting in a car, I just wasn’t sure. But I gave it a whirl, and it was much better than I expected.
One Battle After Another is about a group of revolutionaries, including leader Perfidia and helper Pat, who run around causing chaos for the “man” and attempting to help groups in trouble or destroy property. When Perfidia happens upon Officer Steven Lockjaw during a raid and teases him, he becomes obsessed with her ever after. In the meantime, Perfidia gets pregnant, has a baby, and starts a family with Pat, but ultimately leaves because she is a revolutionary, not a mom. Sixteen years later, while living in hiding and under new names, Pat and the baby (who are now Bob and teenager Willa) are hunted down by Lockjaw.
This is a hardcore drama thriller, but it is also a little quirky, sexy, and absurd. Bob, who is raising Willa (a fabulous Chase Infiniti) by himself, is seemingly a paranoid nut (which is valid, but Willa can’t possibly understand that) who falls all over himself and often acts the fool. Then there’s Lockjaw, who is a scary guy and looking to join a white supremacist organization, but moments of subtle situational comedy pop up and you see the bewildering weaknesses behind the exterior.
The score and cinematography are two of my very favorite parts of this film. Kept lighthearted but anxiety inducing, you always feel a sort of tension, but the emotional management mostly keeps you between the levels of amused and yikes.
Also shot incredibly well, there are a few sections of the film that are particularly captivating. In one scene, as you watch Bob navigate his internal mayhem, he is meeting people in a building and running through various rooms. The camera follows him the entire time in what is (or feels like, but maybe isn’t?) a continuous shot. Then, towards the end of the film, there are striking visuals of hilly roads while driving that help to build a dicey chase, but are also fantastic to experience. It’s like being in a video game.
My one complaint about this film is that it should have ended 10 minutes earlier. There is a final moment on the road with a single character during which the credits could have rolled and you would have laughed out loud. Instead, it continues and follows some of what happens to the characters next. I understand the viewer wanting to know, but it feels much too tidy after a film of chaos. I am disappointed with the bow on top.
This leaves me wavering between giving the movie a 3.75 and a 4, but because of what I described previously in terms of its strengths as well as the talented cast, I’m leaning into the 4. One Battle After Another is a time investment, but it is unusual and frenzied enough to invest in.
Runtime: 161 minutes
Motion Picture Rating: R
Languages Spoken In The Film: English
Should You Watch It? Yes
Did I Cry? Nope
My Rating: 4/5 Stars
Available: Torent on Prime Video or may be available for free on other streaming platforms
A film with a great cast is enough to entice anyone to see a movie. Filmmakers know it, actors know it, and audiences know it. It’s part of why they bring in the big names. But there was something about this trailer that didn’t spark my interest. No shade to the trailer editors, but the look of Leo running around like a crazy man just didn’t make me want to buy a ticket. Even when they flashed on the calm of Benicio del Toro sitting in a car, I just wasn’t sure. But I gave it a whirl, and it was much better than I expected.
