War Horse

I saw the movie "War Horse" this afternoon, and hands-down it's one of the best, most satisfying movies I've seen in a long time.

It's a relatively basic story of a boy in England with a horse that he loves and raises. Due to family financial troubles and the start of WWI, the boy and the horse are separated. The story focus much on what happens to the horse, and the various characters he meets along the way. The ending is beautiful, satisfying, and just plain good. I may have cried once (or twice) throughout the film.

Is it possible to praise a movie about a war for its lack of violence? I think that was one thing that struck me about this movie. Yes, it's about a war. There are plenty of guns and bullets and tanks. You see people get shot and killed. But, for all of that, when people are shot, it's not like their brains are being blown all over the screen. I really appreciated this, because I think it causes you to react more to the emotions the war brings - the fear and anxiety, the cruelty, and the hope - without getting distracted by the blood & guts. I also really appreciated the complete lack of foul language and sensuality. There was none of that, which, if you think about it, could have so easily been built into the story. Way to go movie people, for leaving that out!

All around, great movie. I think its up for some awards, and I think it definitely deserves to win some.