Amazon.com Essentials:
Roundly dismissed as one of Steven Spielberg's least
successful efforts, this very underrated film poignantly follows the World
War II adventures of young Jim (a brilliant Christian Bale), caught in the
throes of the fall of China. What if you once had everything and lost it
all in an afternoon? What
if you were only 12? Bale's transformation, from pampered British
ruling-class child to an imprisoned, desperate, nearly feral boy, is
nothing short of stunning. Also stunning are exceptional sets,
cinematography, and music
(the last courtesy of John Williams) that enhance author J.G.
Ballard's and screenwriter Tom Stoppard's depiction of another, less
familiar casualty of war.
In a time when competitors were releasing "comedic," derivative
coming-of-age films, Empire of the Sun stands out as an epic in
the classic David Lean sense--despite confusion or perceived competition
with the equally excellent
The Last Emperor (also released in 1987, and also a coming-of-age
in
a similar setting). It is also a remarkable testament to,
yes, the human spirit. And despite its disappointing box-office returns,
Empire
of the Sun helped to
further establish Spielberg as more than a commercial director and set
the standard, tone, and look for future efforts Schindler's List and
Saving Private Ryan. --N.F. Mendoza
