PEARL HARBOR
THREE STARS – POWERFUL
In Disney’s epic film “Pearl Harbor,” the
enormity of the attack on American forces that forced us into
World War II is viewed through its impact on a handful of people
we come to care about. Three
of these are caught in a love triangle caused by the war.
Rafe McCawley (Ben Affleck) is a daring, courageous pilot
raised by a crop-duster father to love the skies.
Rafe’s courage is demonstrated early when he protects
his best friend, Danny Walker (Josh Hartnett),
from an abusive father.
This demonstration of courage as well as character, in
which Rafe is willing to come up against an opponent of greater
size and strength in the cause of what is right, serves him well
when he volunteers to fight for the British in their American
“Eagle Squadron” even before our country entered the
war.
Rafe meets a beautiful and capable Army nurse, Evelyn Johnson
(Kate Beckinsale), who is charmed by his brash confidence.
During a physical examination in which her kindness to
him blossoms into a romance, she begins to give him her heart.
Unlike the other pilots who attempt to use their uniform
and plight to seduce the nurses, Rafe is a man of integrity and
purity and does not have premarital relations with Evelyn before
he leaves for England, but promises to return to build a life
with her instead.
This example of commitment, faithfulness and respect is
all the more meaningful when the war breaks into their lives in
ways that cause them to struggle with forgiveness and acceptance
and their commitment and faithfulness are put to the extreme test.
When the attack on Pearl Harbor was carried out with the
deception and precision such military strategy executes, the destructive
nature of war is seen not only on the lives of the sailors who
were sleeping that Sunday morning in the bowels of their ships,
but also in the lives of these we’ve come to know.
Here lies the value of this film.
War is often seen from such an impersonal perspective that
the battles are glorified and the victories praised.
But in its human costs, there are few things as evil as
war.
Masking their preparation to attack Pearl Harbor, the Japanese
government deceived the Americans by giving medals of friendship
during peace negotiations. Such deception, which is often excused in times
of war, is a betrayal of our humanity and our souls.
The heroic response of Rafe, Danny and Evelyn to the attack
is expanded to include the significant courage and strength of
Doris ‘Dorie’ Miller, (Cuba Gooding Jr).
As an African-American who was relegated to being a cook
because of his race, Dorie gains the respect of his nation as
he rises to the occasion and effectively fights heroically during
the attack.
The courage and resolve of President Roosevelt (Jon Voight)
is also shown to have a profound impact on our nation as he decides
to literally stand up against the bullying aggression we had suffered
and to regain the honor and inspire the morale of the American
people.
It is difficult to experience the immensity of Pearl Harbor
without bringing it down to the human level of how such an event
impacts us as individuals. Screenwriter Randall Wallace (Braveheart) does
so in such a way as to touch our hearts and teach our souls.
[557 words)
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