Review
THE ALAMO
Starring Billy Bob Thornton, Jason Patric and Dennis Quaid
Directed by John Lee Hancock
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Has anyone ever really forgotten the Alamo? That famous battle for Texas in 1836 has been filmed at least nine times before and influenced dozens of other movies, from Dawn of the Dead to Starship Troopers. And why not? The story of a few hardy Texans defending their home against impossible numbers is the kind of archetypal tale of bravery, which, despite its jingoistic possibilities, warrants a view now and then.
Not this time, though. Director John Lee Hancock’s The Alamo is a languid mess that can’t even muster up the gumption to rouse us when it counts – the legendary final attack itself.
It’s the numbing 90 minutes before the climactic battle which hurts the most. Although the siege historically lasted 13 days in March, here it comes off as ambiguously as a dog day in summer. And the script has the annoying habit of keeping viewers a few narrative paces behind – its heroes make choices, which are only later clarified (or not), adding to the confusion.
Ambitiously, The Alamo starts out trying to follow the stories of a half-dozen characters. Before long, though, the burden of so many plotlines appears to be too much for Hancock to handle, and he brusquely narrows the focus to three main heroes.
As Davy Crockett, Billy Bob Thornton valiantly tries to inject some life into the film and, for the most part, he’s the clear-eyed, humble hero of folklore we admire. When he’s captured by the Mexican army, we get a rare glimpse at how emotionally stirring The Alamo could have been.
The other actors don’t fare as well. Jason Patric’s brooding James Bowie lets his big namesake knife speak for him far too often, while it’s hard to believe this movie’s spiritless Col. William Barrett Travis (Patrick Wilson) is the same person who drew the famous line in the sand.
Historians might enjoy the movie’s many authentic details, but I doubt they’ll be pleased with its infamous antagonist, General Santa Anna (Emilio Echevarria). As pasty-looking as a day-old doughnut, the general is portrayed here with the over-the-top evil relish reserved for James Bond villains.
With the actual battle of the Alamo clocking in at a scant 10 minutes, Hancock tragically undermines his retelling of the suicidal last stand. In a year of epic movies, The Alamo is the tiniest one yet, but it’s a windbag of colossal proportions. |
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