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Pierce Brosnan’s poignant portrayal in WWII drama ‘The Last Rifleman’
In “The Last Rifleman,” Pierce Brosnan steps into the shoes of a 92-year-old World War II veteran, showcasing his formidable acting prowess in a film that stitches together a road trip dramedy, an emotional memory piece, and a nostalgic look back at the glory days of WWII. Despite Brosnan’s well-rooted performance, the movie struggles to tie together its narrative threads.
Artie Crawford’s journey back in time
Brosnan plays Artie Crawford, a senior living in a Northern Ireland care home, haunted by poignant flashbacks of WWII where he fought alongside his best friend and fell in love with his future wife. As his life’s end looms, Artie embarks on a journey to Normandy to confront the memories that plague his dreams. Brosnan, equipped with heavy makeup to age him two decades, grounds the film with a warmth and steadfastness, even as the plot presents numerous contrivances.
The challenges of navigating a patchy script
Kevin Fitzpatrick’s script fails to imbue the narrative with the dramatic depth and character specificity essential for a compelling story. Director Terry Loane helms the film with a smooth but somewhat indifferent hand, hampered by the screenplay’s inherent limitations. “The Last Rifleman” could have benefited substantially from focusing more intently on Artie’s character, as his storyline serves as the film’s emotional core.
Encounters along the way
As Artie makes his way to France, his journey is marked by encounters with various kind strangers. Despite facing challenges like an expired passport and diabetes, Artie’s resilience shines through. He meets a French lady (Clémence Poésy) who aids him by hiding him in her caravan, a friendly young man (Samuel Bottomley) who helps him hitchhike, and an affable German man (Jürgen Prochnow) with a history linked to the Hitler Youth. These interactions, however, remain shallow, serving more as plot vehicles than enriching the narrative.
Overuse of flashbacks
The film frequently resorts to flashbacks to fill in the gaps of Artie’s backstory. This technique, despite its intention to enrich the narrative, often dilutes its dramatic potency. An exception occurs in a fleeting but powerful scene where John Amos joins Brosnan, adding a notable depth with his line about veterans “living with ghosts.” Unfortunately, even this moment is punctuated by unfunny age-related jokes that undermine its impact.
The care home subplot
An unnecessary amount of screen time is devoted to the care home administrators’ efforts to track Artie’s escape. This subplot, featuring Artie’s friend (Ian McElhinney) humorlessly refusing to reveal anything about Artie’s plans, and a journalist (Desmond Eastwood) trying to trail Artie for a story, distracts from the main storyline. These scenes, inspired by real-life events, fail to resonate and instead weaken the film’s much-needed focus on Artie’s personal journey.
Balancing nostalgia and humor
“The Last Rifleman” seeks a balance between nostalgia for a simpler, morally straightforward time and a tender exploration of aging and grief. However, the filmmakers’ reluctance to trust the audience to engage with the core story leads to the inclusion of unsophisticated humor and thinly-written characters. These aspects dilute the strength of Brosnan’s lead performance and the emotional potential of the narrative.
Reflecting on the film’s effectiveness
While “The Last Rifleman” presents a straightforward story about memory, loss, and the human connections forged in wartime, it is let down by a script that does not fully harness its potential. The film is nostalgic for a time of clear moral demarcations, yet it undermines its poignant aspects with unnecessary humor and shallow subplots.
Despite these flaws, Pierce Brosnan remains the standout element, elevating the film with his evocative portrayal of a man looking back on a life marked by profound love and loss. It’s a testament to his talent that even amidst various missteps, his performance is able to shine brightly, anchoring ”The Last Rifleman” with a compelling emotional core.
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