Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk

Starring: Joe Alwyn, Kristen Stewart, Garrett Hedlund, Vin Diesel, Steve Martin, Chris Tucker, Arturo Castro, Mason Lee, Beau Knapp, Makenzie Leigh, Ben Platt
Directed by: Ang Lee
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, War
2016

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: Billy Lynn (Joe Alwyn) returns home from the Iraq War but finds the transition back to civilian life difficult.

Review:

Tim: At the beginning of 2016, Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk was one of those films pegged to do well at the Oscars. It had a lot going for it- a great director in Ang Lee, a timely subject matter, etc. And yet, it was a film that looked better on paper. Lee is such a talented director that he puts together just enough for me to consider this a good movie, but with expectations raised as high as they were, you can't leave this film without feeling somewhat disappointed. It might have been good, but it truly should have been much better.

The story doesn't feel unique or especially interesting at this point. The titular soldier returns from war and goes on a publicity tour, culminating in a halftime show in Texas. We see the battle he's famous for via flashbacks. This might be a different spin, but it's a story we've seen told on screen before. I struggled with that view throughout the film- why bother seeing this story again? Did Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk (which is not a good title, for the record) have anything new to say? Did it execute that story better than previous movies? Not really, on both accounts. That makes this film feel like "yet another Iraq War movie" rather than anything special in its own right.

I have to say, I'm a bit surprised Joe Alwyn was cast in the lead role. His performance might have hit a few right notes at emotional moments, but his portrayal felt surprisingly bland. I never really connected with this character or developed an emotional bond with him. His performance felt flat and generic. It's not often you see a movie like this where the supporting cast really bails out the lead, but that happened here. Garrett Hedlund continues to add strong supporting work to his resume. He might have been a little forced at various points, but for the most part, he works well here. The scenes with him in them were always among the better moments of the film. Kristen Stewart was fine, but her role felt like it was cut heavily. I'd imagine her character plays a bigger role in the book. She just seemed fragmented, so she is never able to deliver as much as needed. Vin Diesel was a nice addition to the cast, but he doesn't have a whole lot to do. He has one great scene, but that's about it. Steve Martin was fun in a bit of a scenery-chewing role. It was actually great to see Chris Tucker (where's that guy been?) in a role that actually required some effort. He worked well in the film. The cast as a whole might have had a few bright spots, but really was somewhat lacking.

Ang Lee's film feels overly long, even though it clocks in under two hours. The build up to the halftime show feels like it just takes forever. So much of the film is told via flashback that it somewhat blunts the feeling of forward momentum. An hour into the film and you start wondering when something is going to happen. Part of the issue is Lee's direction, but an even bigger issue is that the story itself is kind of boring. Yes, it tries to hit some emotional points and it spends a lot of time on character development, but all that adds up to a fairly forgettable viewing experience. True, this is still a timely topic and the exploration of guilt and pressure felt by our returning military members is a worthwhile subject to explore on the big screen. Lee is talented enough to make us feel at various points in the movie and to appreciate the story. However, this is a film that even though it does do quite a few things right, it kind of leaves a bad taste in your mouth.

I'm glad I saw Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk, but it is nowhere near the Academy Award caliber film that people expected it to be. It's good, but it's forgettable. It's the kind of film that although I'm glad I saw it, I have zero desire to ever see again.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7



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