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Rescue Dawn

For the first time in his career, 64-year-old German filmmaker Werner Herzog "” a God to film geeks the world over "” releases a film where the presence of a Hollywood star threatens to eclipse its status as an auteurist entity. It's a somewhat similar, although less drastic, fate as that of British filmmaker Michael Winterbottom’s recent identity theft at the hands of Angelina Jolie in A Mighty Heart. Interestingly, both filmmakers share an obsession with the line between documentary and fiction; although Herzog is less sly about manipulating it than Winterbottom. Herzog's latest film, Rescue Dawn, is a taut retelling of the true-life story of Dieter Dengler, a US fighter pilot shot down in Laos during the onset of the Vietnam War. It's the second time Herzog has visited the story, following his documentary Little Dieter Needs to Fly in 1997.

Christian Bale is the famous face playing Dieter in the bigger budgeted and dramatized version of the tale. But having the current Batman play Dieter isn't mere stunt casting but rather a necessity since the real-life counterpart had the presence of a movie star himself with his charm and good looks "” as evidenced through archival footage in Herzog's documentary. Also not to forget is that Bale is an actor of tremendous talent and the role requires a performer this gifted to pull off both the psychological torment and the physical devastation. His value is immediately evident in an early scene in which his eyes subtly register his defeat as he helplessly scours the empty skies for signs of a rescue plane.

Dieter is inevitably captured by the enemy soldiers and holed up with five other POWs in a dingy detainment camp. His landlocked compatriots include the skittish Gene (Jeremy Davies) and the soft-hearted Duane (Steve Zahn). Initially, Dieter behaves like the stereotypical American: bossing around the locals even while incarcerated. He eventually realizes that no matter how many times he demands to be unshackled in order to defecate or how fiercely he scolds a soldier for shooting blanks in his face, his American status no longer holds the reins to imperialism. While the other POWs have been ritualistically tortured into submissiveness, Dieter's irrepressible gusto and technical savvy compels him to concoct an elaborate escape plan.

Rescue Dawn is a tense and thoughtful prison escape film with an acute awareness for nature. Think The Great Escape meets The Discovery Channel. The harsh realities of nature aren't glossed over but instead grappled with by both the characters and the filmmakers. It contains the most realistic leech-peeling scene I've ever seen on film and knowing Herzog, it very well may be real. Bale is seemingly allowed "” and apparently willing "” to do things most actors would require a herd

of stunt doubles to perform.

This feral, no-holds-barred action extravaganza is best summed up as an adventure film for the art house crowd. It serves as thoughtful summertime counter-programming for the big budget pirate and super-powered mutant endeavors because it not only provides spectacle but incorporates characters you actually care about through the hand of a veteran filmmaker. Bale's gung-ho athleticism and unflappability is superbly complemented by rich performances from Zahn and Davies. Davies' commitment is exemplified by his frighteningly emaciated figure, not unlike Bale's physical transformation for The Machinist. Zahn, who has shown expertise in his ability to tickle a funny bone with films like That Thing You Do! and Sahara, disappears behind a wild beard and hair so long that only his faded blue eyes shine through. His countenance and his heart-tugging sweetness render a performance that resembles William H. Macy in both appearance and talent. The POW-enforced camaraderie amongst these characters feels wonderfully natural and tangible. A beautiful scene in which the three discuss the contents of their ideal fridge, shelf by shelf, puts a fresh spin on the obligatory "when I get home"¦" musings of the war film.

Herzog accomplishes the task of making a pro-American film that offers criticism without derision and also resists jingoism "” when asked if he believes in God and country, Dieter responds "I believe I ate a snake." With its conservative liberalism, Rescue Dawn should appease both the blue and red states. Not that political persuasion really has much bearing on the film. No matter how you slice it, it's a triumphant tale of human resilience that will put a stranglehold on your heart and a smile on your face.

Movie Grade: A-

Synopsis:

This film tells the real-life story of U.S. fighter pilot Dieter Dengler (Bale), a German-American shot down and captured in Laos during the Vietnam War. Dengler organized a death-defying escape for a small band of POWs, including Duane Martin (Zahn).

Rescue Dawn opens in limited release in NY and LA on July 4th before expanding on July 20th.