BILLY LYNN’S LONG HALFTIME WALK

This film is a war drama set in 2004 which surrounds a group of soldiers known as the Bravos who have briefly returned home from Iraq and are touring the country. They are the face of American military and their final performance is at a sporting event’s half time show in Dallas, which is to be televised to 40 million viewers.

Unknown actor Joe Alwyn plays Billy Lynn, a soldier who heroically saved a fallen sergeant and is a decorated hero. He has been psychologically scarred by the war and along with the rest of his group has realised that Americans don’t know what they have been through for their country.

The producers took a risk casting unknown Alwyn in the lead role, but he delivers a memorable performance where his facial expressions strongly convey the horrors he has experienced at war. Strangely, the two biggest stars (Steve Martin and Vin Diesel) have smaller roles and actress Kristen Stewart, who delivers a standout performance as Lynn’s sister, continues her reign with roles in smaller films.

The story is told in flashbacks and graphic war action sequences are minimal, which may disappoint enthusiasts of this style of films.

Ultimately audiences will question the validity of these young men’s reasoning for going to war and will also be horrified when they hauntingly describe returning to war as ‘going back home’. (MMo)

★★★