‘Every generation has their war. Men make the wars and wars make the men…’
It’s strange how some films just fly under the radar. Last Flag Flying is a solid premise, has a genuinely stellar cast and in Richard Linklater, this road trip/buddy movie also boasts a critically acclaimed director. True, it’s fairly predictable but it’s the kind of predictably that also has a warmth and a familiarity about it. The fact that it launched as an Amazon Prime original in the days before that service had become a major player in the streaming world perhaps has more to do with this film’s low profile than a reflection on the film itself…
The death of Larry ‘Doc’ Shepherd’s (Steve Carell) son in military action prompts a reunion with Sal (Bryan Cranston) and Richard (Laurence Fishburne) – former marines who served with Doc in Vietnam. Their journey to bury the fallen soldier will ask questions of all three men and their shadowy past.
When I said this is a great cast I really meant it. I could watch Carell, Cranston and Fishburne swapping war stories for hours and J. Quinton Johnson more than holds his own as the young marine sent to chaperone the older men on their last mission together. Linklater’s unshowy but effective script allows us plenty of time to get to know these men and the dynamics that they share. Cranston is particularly wonderful, especially as his character is probably the least original on paper, but all three of the experienced leads are clearly having a blast, but in a way that is inclusive to the audience. At times, I felt like I was a part of this group and the strange quest upon which they have embarked and it speaks to Linklater’s ability as a director that he was able to foster such a sense of intimacy, even when working with a cast full of world famous actors. No mean feat.
Last Flag Flying reminded me of a Clint Eastwood flick. A solid story told in a competent way. Characters given time to breathe and develop. The kind of film that everyone can enjoy.