A Private War
Aviron Pictures | Release Date: November 2, 2018
7.0
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Generally favorable reviews based on 59 Ratings
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8
NightReviewsNov 18, 2018
There are names that you hear growing up while studying journalism, reagrdless of the specific area or field of journalism you decide to station yourself in. In entertainment journalism, although hardly ever really dangerous (with theThere are names that you hear growing up while studying journalism, reagrdless of the specific area or field of journalism you decide to station yourself in. In entertainment journalism, although hardly ever really dangerous (with the exception of some volatile celebrities), the truth matters almost as much as our opinion, after all, film is art; and art is as objective as, well, perhaps the most objective thing in the world. Yet, studying journalism in any field, its hard not to come across the name of Marie Colvin, one of, if not the most celebrated war correspondent in the world. A Private War is less an autobiography about an exceptional human being and a real fearless woman, and more of an account of a decade of absolute fear, anger, war, terror and true, nonfictional horror. The film follows Colvin from 2001 to 2012, following her journey from Sri Lanka, Iraq, Iran, Chechnya, Kosovo, Libya, East Timor and fatefully, Syria. While the story is basically set in warn torn countries, showcasing Colvin being shot at, exploded next to, or her constantly dodging or covering herself with her hands, the setting of war somehow doesn’t become desensitized to the audience. Instead, the setting of war becomes this harrowingly afflicted journey of truth and understanding as to why this motherless, companionless woman still willingly decided to venture into the most dangerous parts of the world, for a story.

Yet, it becomes clear that the story is far from Colvin’s objective as a journalist. Instead, Colvin was interested in one thing and one thing only, and no, its not the truth as the trailer so confidently suggests. Colvin’s obsession was always about the individual stories of people who were given first row tickets to seeing the terrorizing events taking place in and around their homes and right in their backyards, literally; their experiences. Whether it be wailing mothers mourning the deaths of their husbands, children, sisters or brothers, or men sharing their lose to Colvin, or children bleeding next to her on dried blood-soaked hospital beds, Colvin learns the truth of so many of the vicious dictators and government officials through the truths of civilians, contrasting them next to the lies of these ‘civilized’ officials of government and members of parliament.

A Private War has many contributing factors that make it a success, beginning with the strong and commanding performance by Rosamund Pike. Although I’ve never seen interviews of Colvin before watching this film and only have read about her and her stories in the past, watching YouTube videos of her and comparing her mannerism and voice to that of Pike’s is almost uncannily scary. Pike takes her raspy, smoked voice, and fills each line, scene and war with the same level of intoxicating force similar to Colvin’s approach to alcohol. While the film makes its own assumptions of Colvin’s private and personal life, including her escapades as a sexual savant, one fo the aspects of the film that I truly wished had more time was the focus and concern for Colvin’s quite apparent post traumatic stress disorder. Again, director Matthew Heinman as well as screenwriter Arash Amel collectively decided to not make the film about Colvin’s life, trials and tribulations, but more man account of the inhumanity she catapulted herself in willingly. Yet little remarks here and there about Colvin’s overall sanity and health, especially by her longtime collaborator and friend Paul Conroy (Jamie Dornan) claiming that ‘she has seen more war than some soldiers’, is a small yet unsatisfactory decent into the questioning concerns of Colvin’s well being.

Aside from Pike, Dornan gives a capturing performance as Conroy, elevating his acting chops and expectations, despite his renown turn as Christian Grey in the Fifty Shades series. In addition to Dornan, Tom Hollander gives a magnificent moral or immoral turn as Colvin’s editor Sean Ryan, a man who, as Colvin’s longtime friend and professional advisor, pushes her to pursue these stories, despite the inherit danger he willingly knows he puts her in, year after year. Their final confrontation is awards caliber stuff, reminiscent of colleges bickering in Boyle’s Steve Jobs film between Michael Fassbender and Jeff Daniels, a performance that gained Daniels and Fassbender acting nominations in their respective categories.

While A Private War will be hard-pressed to gain any Academy Award nominations this season, not because of the film itself or the content, but more-so due to its very heavy handed realities as well as factual depiction of war, governments and the negligence of international aid, the film may be a little too gritty and bleak for any nominations at all.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
Brent_MarchantNov 10, 2018
Although a little weak on back story, this gripping biopic about journalist Marie Colvin's dogged determination to get out the wartime stories not otherwise being told sizzles with bold intensity, especially in its uncompromising depictionsAlthough a little weak on back story, this gripping biopic about journalist Marie Colvin's dogged determination to get out the wartime stories not otherwise being told sizzles with bold intensity, especially in its uncompromising depictions of the horrors she witnessed firsthand and the personal toll such events took on her physically and emotionally. Rosamund Pike's stellar performance as the intrepid war correspondent is certainly award-worthy, showing the many sides of a complex character who frequently straddled the line between bravery and recklessness. Be forewarned, however, that the graphic nature of this offering makes it a questionable choice for sensitive and squeamish viewers. But, for those who like their heroic tales larger than life and rooted in truth, this one is definitely for you.… Expand
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7
MarkHReviewsDec 5, 2018
Ultimately, “A Private War” is an homage to journalism, particularly the foreign correspondents who report on wars and disasters throughout the globe. This movie centers on Marie Colvin, an American journalist for UK’s The Sunday Times.Ultimately, “A Private War” is an homage to journalism, particularly the foreign correspondents who report on wars and disasters throughout the globe. This movie centers on Marie Colvin, an American journalist for UK’s The Sunday Times. Director Matthew Heineman, known primarily for his first-rate documentaries, uses the skills honed in that genre to navigate this fictionalized narrative of Colvin’s career.

The film begins with Colvin losing her eye during an explosion while interviewing the Tamil rebels in Sri Lanka. Later, Colvin chronicles the unearthing of mass graves in Iraq, the incessant insanity in Afghanistan and, ultimately, the systematic bombing of civilians by Assad’s military forces in Syria. The story proceeds with a sense of foreboding about how this will all end. Along the way, we learn the price paid by this particular correspondent – physical harm, PTSD, alcoholism, fractured relationships – which, for her, is offset by her compulsion to personally bear witness to critical world events.

There are a few missteps. Many of the voiceovers attributed to Colvin come across as a little pedantic. Her observation that there are two mutually exclusive categories – old journalists and bold journalists – seems to underline the obvious. We already know that journalism is the rough draft of history. And the scene of Colvin literally perched on a ledge after a particularly traumatic event contrasts oddly with the understatement that serves other scenes so well. Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl, Hostiles) and Jamie Dornan (so excellent in the BBC series The Fall) are well-cast and compelling. Pike is particularly effective in portraying Colvin as a haunted soul unsuited for the conventions of social interaction outside a war zone. As Colvin’s photographer/sidekick/confessor, Dornan serves as a necessary counterpoint and voice of reason when Colvin’s passion seems ready to take her off the rails.

Director Heineman is at his best with his jarring quick-cuts from the confusion, dust and depression of a war zone to a scene of domestic civility, if not tranquility, for Colvin. Heineman also uses this biography for larger purposes, making a compelling case for the importance of journalists’ documentation of inhumanity (a vanity card at the conclusion of the film reminds us that 500,000 people have died in Syria since 2012) and the essential role of journalism in speaking truth to power.

Some of the film, much like the ideas it develops, will require digesting over time. But this is a movie that merits thoughtful attention while viewing the film and reflection long after it is over.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
ProteusNov 18, 2018
This movie reminded my of the opening statement of the Hurt Locker - "War is a drug". It is and Marie Colvin was addicted. You watch her make bad choice after bad choice and shake your head. Extreme sport enthusiasts will recognize the typeThis movie reminded my of the opening statement of the Hurt Locker - "War is a drug". It is and Marie Colvin was addicted. You watch her make bad choice after bad choice and shake your head. Extreme sport enthusiasts will recognize the type right away...addicted to the rush but cannot step back and assess the risk. So they push until they die.

There is not much more here to see. Just a woman bent on self destruction and justifying it by telling herself that her work matters, and the folks in safe in cities giving her accolades who reap the benefits.… Expand
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10
PanchogulNov 23, 2019
Es un drama crudo, realista y emocionalmente violento, en varias escenas me sentí realmente conmovido y devastado por el realismo de varias escenas que muestran sin tapujos las consecuencias de los ataques que se llevan a cabo durante unEs un drama crudo, realista y emocionalmente violento, en varias escenas me sentí realmente conmovido y devastado por el realismo de varias escenas que muestran sin tapujos las consecuencias de los ataques que se llevan a cabo durante un conflicto bélico. Rosamund Pike como protagonista hizo un trabajo magnífico, su personaje fue totalmente creíble y llegas a sentir la angustia que ella debe de haber sentido al ver tanta violencia y su implacable compromiso con el mundo para que se sepan las cosas que ocurren.… Expand
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10
ledaumasNov 27, 2018
After watching this movie, I understand why people aren't crashing down the doors down to see this movie. It's heart wrenching and brutal about bad people in high places misusing their "power" and then lie about it to the public. It showsAfter watching this movie, I understand why people aren't crashing down the doors down to see this movie. It's heart wrenching and brutal about bad people in high places misusing their "power" and then lie about it to the public. It shows journalists trying to expose this at a high cost to their health and lives. What's disheartening is that those things are still happening today. Rosamund Pike, Jamie Dornan, and their fellow actors make us feel their horror as they witness atrocities, one after the other. It's a well-written film about inhumanity in the world we must not allow to continue. It shows the people who try to fight it and the people who try to report it, which makes this a hard film to watch. The film showed the violence, without film goers always having to witness it, because seeing the after was enough to realize what had happened by these unscrupulous people in power.… Expand
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7
JoeCoolApr 16, 2019
A movie about war journalist Marie Colvin and her drive to report the attrocities of war. She makes the risky choices, perhaps counting on the inevitable. That's pretty much it, that and people in high places, far away from hostile fire,A movie about war journalist Marie Colvin and her drive to report the attrocities of war. She makes the risky choices, perhaps counting on the inevitable. That's pretty much it, that and people in high places, far away from hostile fire, telling her how great she is for slowly but surely destroying herself. "War isn't so terrible for governments but they are not wounded or killed like ordinary people."
Not a feel-good movie, but gripping and well made.… Expand
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9
GinaKNov 19, 2018
A fascinating film about war and war correspondents. It’s also a film that is neither pro- nor anti-war. Its view is that war happens, and war correspondents are unique and driven people who cover these catastrophes. Rosamund Pike gives anA fascinating film about war and war correspondents. It’s also a film that is neither pro- nor anti-war. Its view is that war happens, and war correspondents are unique and driven people who cover these catastrophes. Rosamund Pike gives an incredible performance as Marie Colvin, a driven and, in many ways, enigmatic British reporter. The only weak point was the suggestion that Colvin became a war correspondent because she had two failed pregnancies – or perhaps that is what Colvin told people to explain her inexplicable life.… Expand
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9
MarkTakayamaSep 13, 2019
This is a great movie of Marie Colvin who died in Syria.This movie reminded me that our world was not safe.She really wanted people to know situations in Syria and other countries.If you are interested in international relations, please watch!
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7
JLuis_001Apr 23, 2019
You can never be 100% objective when you deal with a topic like the one that this film portrays, however it's not the work of this story and narrative to make judgments but to expose the work and dedication of its real life subject and howYou can never be 100% objective when you deal with a topic like the one that this film portrays, however it's not the work of this story and narrative to make judgments but to expose the work and dedication of its real life subject and how that same dedication always put her in the line of fire and how eventually cost her, her life.

A splendid performance by Rosamund Pike and a story as interesting as the one this film is telling are the best reasons you have to watch it.… Expand
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7
amheretojudgeJan 25, 2019
Up Close And Personal.

A Private War Heineman has made a drama that is at peak of humankind's worst fear and it is a true story. A riveting take of his on the infamous journalist whose social service echos in our generation is for everyUp Close And Personal.

A Private War

Heineman has made a drama that is at peak of humankind's worst fear and it is a true story. A riveting take of his on the infamous journalist whose social service echos in our generation is for every woman herself. From head to toe, this has and always will be Pike's movie. No matter how sharp Heineman's execution is, or no matter how many big questions it raises the answer is Pike, Pike and Pike. The film thrives upon the war theme and most of the movie is dipped into the field, but personally the film will communicated to me is the repercussion it causes on a civilized person. And it's that aftermath that Heineman scores perpetually with winning figures on screen. Neither the structure is of your typical textbook biography nor does it relies upon the antics of the film. In fact, I would argue there isn't one.

There is no build up to any sequence, it just flows smoothly and consistently giving an absorbing tale with enough reasons to dive deep into this politics. And yes, as far as such genre consists, it is provocative, but the theme demanded it to be. The film oozes power even while it is resisting or is under the shade of a higher power, and it is that feeling of being helpless and still survive with strong willpower and bravery that you have to hold onto; on that note that Heineman has successfully colored his film with, it is a complete triumph.

On terms of performance, as mentioned before, there is no need to look back, Pike is there to be the apt host of this gut wrenching world and she is there for the most part of it. For, if she leaves the screen even for a frame, you can feel that empty void inside you and in the film. To have that amount of command over the viewers and the film is no easy job, that impact is something that is rarely seen, and the last time I felt that was when I was watching Whiplash and no drums could replace Simmons absence.

On her defense, she has an immensely incredible role to portray, and it can all be easily pinned down to her ideologies or perspective towards the guns blazing and bombs booming around her (when Pike teaches other reporter like hers on how to survive this environment). She gets plenty of sequences to drive the film around to her own will and her best side is visible when she is confessing her fears and emotions to Hollander after a heating argument.

Speaking of whom, Hollander and Tucci, the supporting actors, are too on their best behaviors, although Dornan still feels a bit short handed. The film gets damp and dense only when it is switching locations, as soon as you're in, the compelling nail-biting sequences conjures you with harrowing inedible images that may not be everyone's cup of tea. A Private War is as personal as a war should be, fighting her way up against major contenders, Pike gives her career's best performance.… Expand
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7
Bertaut1Feb 27, 2019
Not a patch on Under the Wire but still pretty solid

Telling the story of the last decade or so of Sunday Times' foreign affairs correspondent Marie Colvin (Rosamund Pike), and based on Marie Brenner's 2012 Vanity Fair article, "MarieNot a patch on Under the Wire but still pretty solid

Telling the story of the last decade or so of Sunday Times' foreign affairs correspondent Marie Colvin (Rosamund Pike), and based on Marie Brenner's 2012 Vanity Fair article, "Marie Colvin's Private War", the film is nowhere near the quality of Chris Martin's exceptional Under the Wire (2018), a documentary about Colvin's last assignment, and how her photographer Paul Conroy (Jamie Dornan) got out of Syria after her death. Wisely, screenwriter Arash Amel and director Matthew Heineman choose not to tell the same story as Martin, focusing more on Colvin's life in London and her previous assignments. This makes sense, as the story of how Conroy got out is a movie unto itself, and it's a story that's definitively told in the documentary.

With this in mind, A Private War has its own merits. Avoiding hagiography, Heineman doesn't shy away from some of the darker aspects of Colvin's character (her refusal to accept she was suffering from PTSD, her alcoholism, her acerbity, her hygiene), with the film more interested in asking why she did what she did. It's by no means perfect, with some awful dialogue, scenes so on-the-nose you might need rhinoplasty after watching them, a tendency to over-simplify complex socio-political elements as binary oppositions, and an uneven central performance. However, it's a respectfully told story, the material is treated in a suitably serious manner.

Although A Private War spends time showing us Colvin's assignments in Sri Lanka, Iraq, Libya, and Syria, it's just as interested in depicting the mental price she paid for her work. Examining how she processed the things she saw (or didn't process them). The film runs with the premise that Colvin was correct when she argued that the real stories of war are not the socio-political causes of the conflict or the military engagements, but the civilians caught in the crossfire. Despite her honourable intentions, however, the film suggests that Colvin was simply addicted to the adrenaline, doing what she did as much for her own personal need as her commitment to a greater truth.

The film also spends time on Colvin's private life, attempting to humanise her. An especially telling scene in this regard concerns her eye injury, which she lost after being hit by shrapnel in Sri Lanka. After asserting that she is unconcerned about losing her eye, we see her alone, looking at the injury in a mirror, with Pike conveying her sense of loss brilliantly. In another scene, she stands in front of a full-length mirror, completely naked, looking at herself with a curious sense of wonder. These moments reveal as much about her as the more expositionary dialogue-heavy scenes do, and Pike's performance in these wordless scenes is really quite extraordinary.

Elsewhere, however, the performance is a little uneven. Pike captures Colvin's mannerisms, but there are several scenes that don't ring emotionally true. In particular, a scene in which Colvin berates her editor Paul Ryan (Tom Hollander) for his lack of trust in her has the feel of someone overacting, with little sense of psychological verisimilitude. Pike is certainly intense, and her impression of Colvin is uncanny, but it takes more than an intense impression to anchor a real-life character.

Although A Private War does suffer from the occasional clunky bit of dialogue and a slightly uneven central performance, it's a strong film. Telling a different story than Under the Wire, it doesn't shy away from the darker aspects of Colvin's life, presenting her in a non-hagiographic manner, as someone fundamentally damaged by what she does. Unafraid of examining her careerism and setting it beside a more humanitarian and philanthropic interpretation of her work, Heineman and Amel also address the price that all war correspondents must risk paying, irrespective of why they are there in the first place. The film is deeply respectful of both the craft and the courage of such people, not the least of whom was Colvin herself. At one point, she claims, "I see it so you don't have to". Heineman, however, suggests that she saw it so that the rest of could see it too.… Expand
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