Lone Survivor – reviews of 'authentic' Afghan war movie
War porn or critique of the American military machine? Film about Navy Seals in Afghanistan triggers debate
What you need to know
Military action drama Lone Survivor, starring Mark Wahlberg, has prompted debate among critics over its portrait of Navy Seals in Afghanistan.
The film, based on a New York Times bestselling book about a real Navy Seal mission and directed by Peter Berg (Friday Night Lights), has been praised for its gripping and realistic action but also criticised by some as "war porn".
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
It tells the story of four Navy Seals on a covert mission in Afghanistan to neutralise a high-ranking Taliban operative. When they stumble upon a group of Afghan goatherds, their position is compromised, and the mission goes awry.
Also stars Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch, Ben Foster and Eric Bana.
What the critics like
Neither an anti-war tract nor a jingoistic rallying cry, "the brutal but humane Lone Survivor registers as a howl of despair for so many young men and women lost in war", says Ashley Clark in Time Out. And few films can lay claim to such a sustained, technically impressive rendering of the consequences of combat on the human body.
Lone Survivor features quite possibly "the most authentic gunfight you'll see and the most affecting view of combat since Black Hawk Down", says James Dyer in Empire. This is a potent glimpse at the reality of modern warfare for the Call Of Duty generation, and it scores a hit with every shot.
It can function both war porn and "a critique of the American war machine", but one thing's certain, it's a film that will get people talking, says Emma Simmonds on ArtsDesk. The actors are great and keep things engaging, while the bone-crunching action is thrillingly, sometimes terrifyingly rendered.
What they don't like
America's culture wars have reached the hair-trigger state where any film purporting to show the realities of war - Zero Dark Thirty and Black Hawk Down as well as Lone Survivor - is accused of being "jingoistic snuff", says Tim Robey in the Daily Telegraph. While this film seeks to avoid accusations of racism by seeming almost cravenly grateful for "a few good brown people", it "botches this aspect of his story with galumphing sentimentality".
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Make legal immigration a more plausible option'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
LA-to-Las Vegas high-speed rail line breaks ground
Speed Read The railway will be ready as soon as 2028
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel's military intelligence chief resigns
Speed Read Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva is the first leader to quit for failing to prevent the Hamas attack in October
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The Westbury Hotel review: stunning suites in charming Dublin
The Week Recommends This hotel is the perfect spot to while away a weekend in Ireland's capital
By Kaye O'Doherty Published
-
Drama movies 2024: new films out this year
In Depth Latest reviews include The Boys in the Boat, One Life and Tchaikovsky's Wife
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Best new hotels and places to stay in 2024
The Week Recommends Featuring stylish island resorts, historical properties and wilderness retreats
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Albums of the year: best music of 2023
The Week Recommends A look back at the best pop, rap, jazz, dance, classical and rock releases
By The Week UK Published
-
Savoy Grill by Gordon Ramsay review: an institution reinvented
The Week Recommends Traditions are maintained and the tweaks are clever and modern
By Neil Davey Published
-
Tulum: a Mexican beach town of 'two halves'
The Week Recommends With the 'pueblo' and 'Zona Hotelera', Tulum is home to great hotels, restaurants and beach clubs
By William Leigh Published
-
La Zebra review: beach chic, perfect tacos and secret cenotes
The Week Recommends Enjoy a stylish stay in Mexico at this family-friendly beach hotel and restaurant
By William Leigh Published
-
Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas review: a mythical beachside resort
The Week Recommends Combine the classically simple pleasures of sun, sea and sand with upmarket fun and food
By Adrienne Wyper Published