Film Review: ''Pearl Harbor''

WHEN ON December 7, 1941, the Imperial Kingdom of Japan attacked Pearl Harbor off the Hawaiian Islands, leaving much of it in a state of devastation, it set in motion the wheels that drew the U.S. into a state of war which till then was pretty much restricted to Europe. It was an attack that altered the history of the world - a seminal event in history - an event that even today is immortalised in the dignified graves that dot one stretch of the capital city of Honolulu. The U.S. has not forgotten it and has certainly not let the world forget it too, never mind if there are similar shattering events that have taken place in that period leaving the world gasping for peace and stability.

History is always interesting while recounting situations and events - but it is just that if not adorned with some feelings and emotions, which perhaps only books and screenplays can do. If one can visualise what ordinary people would have gone through in those moments of terror and devastation - the mind can come up with some truly touching stories and Touchstone Picture/ Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Michael Bay Film in ``Pearl Harbor'', relives a moment in time with loads of patriotism, romance and personal courage.

For both Michael Bay and Jerry Bruckheimer, the director and producer, the project was fascinating - they are history buffs and wanted to recreate a time when ordinary people lived through extraordinary circumstances - fictional no doubt - but as a tribute to those who may have gone through similar situations and emotions. There could have been husbands killed, dreams destroyed for families, sons maimed, cozy homes burnt - tragedies that alter the course of lives and relationships - but also serving as reminders that rising from the ashes and going on to triumph is indeed possible.

Here the drama revolves round the sudden attack and its impact on two daring young pilots, Rafe McCawley (Ben Affleck - who incidentally is now in a detox centre) and Danny Walker (Josh Hartnett) and their common object of love, the beautiful nurse Evelyn (Kate Beckinsale). Although a story of friendship and romance overall it is a serious piece about men and women on that catastrophic day. Boys overnight had to become men and women had to drop all queasiness and deal with death and burning flesh. As for the Japanese fighters - it was the honour and survival of their country never mind if they died in the process - nothing would ever be the same again. As a film it is full of action in terms of the fighter planes and the attacks that took place on that fateful day - the recreation of that period is good in parts while the background score is largely forgettable. Intercuts with footage of documentaries taken at that time with scenes done now, are a bit distracting now and then but one gets used to it since it is the 1940s one is taking a trip to. The visuals with the old fighter planes taking off from warships and the bombing by the Japanese fighter pilots are rather gripping while ships sinking and water flooding them are reminiscent of the film ``The Titantic'' without the same drama. This is a film for war veterans and survivors of the Pearl Harbor tragedy. But it is also for those who want to see a piece of history romanticised.

CHITRA MAHESH

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