This was first positioned in the stunning opening scene where the Rattlesnake clan struck terror upon Mrs Rosalie Quaid’s (Rosamund Pike) family. “It takes great strength for someone to survive such pain”, said Chief and one can only imagine the excruciating anguish.
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Hatred is a strong word that hardly stand any chance of one reversing that sentiment and let bygones be bygones. In Scott Cooper’s Hostiles, he explores that through the prejudicial relationship between Native Americans and the US. Army as both find themselves at civil strife during the late 1800s.
While it was not by choice as a soldier, US. Army Captain Joseph Blocker (Christian Bale) starts the film with plenty of grievances based on his countless combat encounters against the Native Americans. Gruesome recounts of what they would do to his fellow comrades are whispered tensely under Blocker’s breath simply sends down chills and sympathy.
This is similarly shared by a close comrade of his – Master Sergeant Thomas Metz (Rory Cochrane) and his shared experience and hatred with Blocker appeared to be almost impossible to break. This palpable tension is driven further when both find themselves tasked with an order to escort ailing Native American Chief Yellow Hawk (Wes Studi) and his family to Montana.
Blocker’s inner state of turmoil is impeccably portrayed by Bale and remains one of the best things about the film. The “road trip” has placed Blocker with no choice but to ease his mistrust and engage Chief and his son Black Hawk (Adam Beach) when he finds himself fending off vicious members of the Rattlesnake tribal clan.
Forgiveness and redemption via self-examination felt simply out of reach but the middle act of the film provided space for them to reflect and realise the objective definition of brutality. This was first positioned in the stunning opening scene where the Rattlesnake clan struck terror upon Mrs Rosalie Quaid’s (Rosamund Pike) family. “It takes great strength for someone to survive such pain”, said Chief and one can only imagine the excruciating anguish.
For some like Mrs Quaid, it’s about looking past personal grievances and not become prejudiced against the race of one’s enemy. For others like Blocker, it’s about acknowledging one’s sin of seeking prejudiced vengeance against an entire race. Forgiveness and redemption are key values to take home, which are achieved progressively through subsequent events that unfold on the silver screen (albeit somewhat too coincidental).
Masanobu Takayanagi’s photography is not only good to behold, but also helps viewers to better experience the self-healing journey with the characters. Max Richter’s soundtrack is sufficiently influential as it brings one through the film’s brooding moments and bold confrontations.
One of the better films for self-reflection with the presence of master performers like Bale and Pike, Hostiles examines the delicate holy ground of seeking redemption and peace amidst a brutal landscape of tragic prejudicial torture and mutilation.
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