The first ever municipal wildfire crew to ever earn Hotshot status, the Granite Mountain Hotshots were (and still are) hailed as local heroes, saving countless lives and homes over the decade or so they were wildland firefighting. The events that transpired on their road to the elite Hot Shot status tell the story not only of their bravery, but of the truly remarkable human beings they were.
In the small town of Prescott, Arizona, Fire Superintendent Eric Marsh (Josh Brolin) grows tired of his instincts being dismissed by the federal Hotshot crews when they come to fight their local fires, resulting in the loss of lives and homes. In an effort to change the status quo, Marsh seeks the help of his long-time friend Duane (Jeff Bridges) to facilitate a meeting with the mayor to organize an unprecedented Certification of his home-grown Prescott crew. To achieve his goal, Marsh needs to fill his ranks back up to twenty. Despite his obvious drug use and criminal record, Marsh agrees to give Brendan McDonough (Miles Teller) a chance because he believes him when he says he wants to change his life for his baby daughter Mikaela. As he works the crew hard to prepare for the certification test, Marsh's wife Amanda (Jennifer Connelly) grows lonely and frustrated with his absence. Finally, their hard work pays off and they achieve Hot Shot status, but shortly thereafter are literally thrown into the fire.
With Hollywood steadily running out of original ideas, it is quite refreshing to see a production with such great care and attention paid to honoring the real-life people they are portraying. Screenwriters Ken Nolan and Eric Singer wrote the screenplay based on an article by Sean Flynn entitled "No Exit" that appeared in the magazine "GQ" in 2013. Originally founded in 2001 as a fuel mitigation crew, they eventually reformed as Crew 7 in 2004, a Type II hand-crew, until finally in 2008, after four years of training, they were finally certified as a Type I Inter-agency Hotshot crew. It is during this period that the film takes place.
Director Joseph Kosinski ensures that this in no way feels exploitive-it is in fact quite the opposite. Producer Michael Menchel visited Prescott on multiple occasions to meet with the families to get a real understanding of who each of these incredible men were to be as respectful and authentic as possible. Amanda Marsh was reluctant at first to support the production, but Brendan convinced her that the film would be a wonderful way to honor their loved ones. Even screenwriter Ken Nolan was moved to tears as he was told stories about these amazing men. Real-life Granite Mountain Hotshot Brandon Bunch, who was only spared because he left the crew two weeks prior to his wife giving birth to their third child, plays his friend Garret Zuppiger.
Kosinski boldly dares to go against the grain, opting to take the time to slow down the narrative to showcase each individual Hotshot and their real-life struggles. These character moments coupled with some amazing performances perfectly ground the film so strongly that it manages to walk the line between a biographical drama and a full-out documentary. Your attention never wavers once, allowing you to fall deeper into the story as it unfolds. Credit has to go not only to Kosinski and Menchel, but the lead actors as well. Jennifer Connelly stayed with Amanda Marsh to truly get a sense of her life, and even wore her actual boots in the film. The supreme focus and detail leveled are captivating, from the slowed whirring helicopter blades pulsating to the beat of the music to the cliffside vista as the crew watches and scores burning trees as they fall to their impending doom. There is so much ethereal visual imagery, it in some ways feels like a spiritual experience, as if we are all being baptized in the powerful and unpredictable quality of nature.
In an effort to balance out the heavy themes, the director highlights the Granite Mountain Hotshots saving the old alligator juniper (designated as Arizona Champion Tree). This legendary tree located to the west of Prescott, Arizona is the world's largest alligator juniper, and is approximately 1,400 years old. After the crew successfully saved it from the Doce Fire on June 23, 2013, they took what became an iconic picture all together in front of the massive tree. Something about this moment while being exhilarating and uplifting manages to also possess an air of foreboding, almost as if you can sense that this is the high that will be preceded by the low.
Joseph Trapanese's score is so subtle and nuanced, you would almost miss it if not for its melancholy melodies that perfectly highlight the emotional underpinnings, especially with his beautifully-written theme that is overlaid when Crew 7 is featured on screen. Furthermore, as an additional tribute to the brave souls who lost their lives on that fateful day, Dierks Bentley co-wrote the song "Hold the Light" with S. Carey and Jon Randall, working closely with the Trapanese to ensure the melody matched the lyrics. This touching song plays during the end credits which also features each actor showcased with their real-life counterpart.
Nolan and Singer smartly choose to book-end the polar extremes of the crew, primarily following the lives of Eric Marsh, the Superintendent of Crew 7, who struggles to balance his career with his home life, and Brendan McDonough, the young, wayward screw-up and newest recruit working to turn his life around for his new baby girl, Mikaela. The narrative juxtaposes experience with naivety, but also how similar two seemingly opposite people can be. As Eric and Amanda struggle to balance their shifting priorities, Amanda astutely points out that people are supposed to grow and be changed by their relationships, which is vividly featured subsequently.
With such an astounding cast, it is of little wonder there were superb performances all around. Josh Brolin has stated in multiple interviews that this was the most important role he has ever played. As he is a self-professed chatty Kathy, he struggled a bit to channel his inner John Wayne to become Marsh. Brolin succeeds in balancing Marsh's drive to effect positive change and support his community, as well as his vows to his wife. Miles Teller really starts to come into his own here, believably transitioning Brendan from an irresponsible lacky to a young man working hard to make something of his life. Teller gives a gripping, painful performance after he hears the report of the number of survivors over the radio. Jennifer Connelly is exceptional as well throughout. She and Brolin also share some tender, intimate moments that feel natural. Her reaction to Eric when he returns home after their argument is beautiful. Amanda's words to Brendan in third act so perfectly illuminate who Eric was, as well as the quality of her character. And upon hearing the tragic news while out in the stable, her visceral reaction will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. One might even contend that this is her best performance to date. James Badge Dale and Taylor Kitsch also turn in quality performances as Marsh's next in command, and Brendan's best friend respectively.
Despite the majority of the film's events transpiring in Arizona, it was shot almost entirely on location in and around Santa Fe and Los Alamos, New Mexico-primarily due to the state's sizable tax credit. Happily though, Matt's Saloon, a local staple of Prescott, Arizona on the famed Whiskey Row, was featured as the bar where the crew celebrates after saving the old juniper. Jeff Bridges (as Duane) even sings a little tune there with his band, Duane and the Rusty Pistols!
Aspiring to be as realistic as possible, all of the actors were trained by wildland fire-fighting personnel from the Melrose bombing range led by Captain Daniel Cota, as well as being coached by Chief Steinbrink and other former Hot Shots. Each visceral moment out in the brushland delivers iconic images featuring an imposing horizon and harsh weather conditions that succeed in conveying just how brutal and unpredictable nature can be. Considering the big names attached to the production, it is doubtful that they were as close to the inferno as they appear, but the exceptional computer graphics never have you question the danger for a moment. That being said, Kosinski was able to shoot a real wildland fire in southern New Mexico, which is where you can see the elk racing away from the flames. That moving shot was truly in-camera, and poignantly represented Brendan's inner turmoil as he looked on from the chopper. This commitment to authenticity supplies the primeval and terrifying quality of the experience of being in the heart of a wildland fire. Perhaps the standout visual effects are of the emblematic bear on fire, which is just as Eric describes-as beautiful as it is terrifying and haunting. Kosinski's decision to show more of the vision with each time the event is detailed works to build intrigue, and is a wonderful visual representation of Eric's greatest fear. You can run, but ultimately, you cannot escape it.
Arguably Kosinski's masterpiece, the film leaves a lasting impression you won't soon forget. It is surprisingly difficult to contextualize the raw feelings exposed and elicited by this remarkable film. The only real failure that can be found here is the lack of proper promotion and marketing by the studio. Considered to be a box-office bomb, it only grossed $26.3 million worldwide against a $38 million budget. Despite its positive accolades, the film still remains grossly underrated, with the powers that be not even endowing this amazing tribute with one awards nomination. And yet, it seems to truly capture the spirit of these twenty courageous men, cementing their bravery into the annals of history.
~AleXa~ An original IMDB user
Reviewed July 31st, 2022 - 4th viewing 7/31/22 SU on my Blu-ray at home.
In the small town of Prescott, Arizona, Fire Superintendent Eric Marsh (Josh Brolin) grows tired of his instincts being dismissed by the federal Hotshot crews when they come to fight their local fires, resulting in the loss of lives and homes. In an effort to change the status quo, Marsh seeks the help of his long-time friend Duane (Jeff Bridges) to facilitate a meeting with the mayor to organize an unprecedented Certification of his home-grown Prescott crew. To achieve his goal, Marsh needs to fill his ranks back up to twenty. Despite his obvious drug use and criminal record, Marsh agrees to give Brendan McDonough (Miles Teller) a chance because he believes him when he says he wants to change his life for his baby daughter Mikaela. As he works the crew hard to prepare for the certification test, Marsh's wife Amanda (Jennifer Connelly) grows lonely and frustrated with his absence. Finally, their hard work pays off and they achieve Hot Shot status, but shortly thereafter are literally thrown into the fire.
With Hollywood steadily running out of original ideas, it is quite refreshing to see a production with such great care and attention paid to honoring the real-life people they are portraying. Screenwriters Ken Nolan and Eric Singer wrote the screenplay based on an article by Sean Flynn entitled "No Exit" that appeared in the magazine "GQ" in 2013. Originally founded in 2001 as a fuel mitigation crew, they eventually reformed as Crew 7 in 2004, a Type II hand-crew, until finally in 2008, after four years of training, they were finally certified as a Type I Inter-agency Hotshot crew. It is during this period that the film takes place.
Director Joseph Kosinski ensures that this in no way feels exploitive-it is in fact quite the opposite. Producer Michael Menchel visited Prescott on multiple occasions to meet with the families to get a real understanding of who each of these incredible men were to be as respectful and authentic as possible. Amanda Marsh was reluctant at first to support the production, but Brendan convinced her that the film would be a wonderful way to honor their loved ones. Even screenwriter Ken Nolan was moved to tears as he was told stories about these amazing men. Real-life Granite Mountain Hotshot Brandon Bunch, who was only spared because he left the crew two weeks prior to his wife giving birth to their third child, plays his friend Garret Zuppiger.
Kosinski boldly dares to go against the grain, opting to take the time to slow down the narrative to showcase each individual Hotshot and their real-life struggles. These character moments coupled with some amazing performances perfectly ground the film so strongly that it manages to walk the line between a biographical drama and a full-out documentary. Your attention never wavers once, allowing you to fall deeper into the story as it unfolds. Credit has to go not only to Kosinski and Menchel, but the lead actors as well. Jennifer Connelly stayed with Amanda Marsh to truly get a sense of her life, and even wore her actual boots in the film. The supreme focus and detail leveled are captivating, from the slowed whirring helicopter blades pulsating to the beat of the music to the cliffside vista as the crew watches and scores burning trees as they fall to their impending doom. There is so much ethereal visual imagery, it in some ways feels like a spiritual experience, as if we are all being baptized in the powerful and unpredictable quality of nature.
In an effort to balance out the heavy themes, the director highlights the Granite Mountain Hotshots saving the old alligator juniper (designated as Arizona Champion Tree). This legendary tree located to the west of Prescott, Arizona is the world's largest alligator juniper, and is approximately 1,400 years old. After the crew successfully saved it from the Doce Fire on June 23, 2013, they took what became an iconic picture all together in front of the massive tree. Something about this moment while being exhilarating and uplifting manages to also possess an air of foreboding, almost as if you can sense that this is the high that will be preceded by the low.
Joseph Trapanese's score is so subtle and nuanced, you would almost miss it if not for its melancholy melodies that perfectly highlight the emotional underpinnings, especially with his beautifully-written theme that is overlaid when Crew 7 is featured on screen. Furthermore, as an additional tribute to the brave souls who lost their lives on that fateful day, Dierks Bentley co-wrote the song "Hold the Light" with S. Carey and Jon Randall, working closely with the Trapanese to ensure the melody matched the lyrics. This touching song plays during the end credits which also features each actor showcased with their real-life counterpart.
Nolan and Singer smartly choose to book-end the polar extremes of the crew, primarily following the lives of Eric Marsh, the Superintendent of Crew 7, who struggles to balance his career with his home life, and Brendan McDonough, the young, wayward screw-up and newest recruit working to turn his life around for his new baby girl, Mikaela. The narrative juxtaposes experience with naivety, but also how similar two seemingly opposite people can be. As Eric and Amanda struggle to balance their shifting priorities, Amanda astutely points out that people are supposed to grow and be changed by their relationships, which is vividly featured subsequently.
With such an astounding cast, it is of little wonder there were superb performances all around. Josh Brolin has stated in multiple interviews that this was the most important role he has ever played. As he is a self-professed chatty Kathy, he struggled a bit to channel his inner John Wayne to become Marsh. Brolin succeeds in balancing Marsh's drive to effect positive change and support his community, as well as his vows to his wife. Miles Teller really starts to come into his own here, believably transitioning Brendan from an irresponsible lacky to a young man working hard to make something of his life. Teller gives a gripping, painful performance after he hears the report of the number of survivors over the radio. Jennifer Connelly is exceptional as well throughout. She and Brolin also share some tender, intimate moments that feel natural. Her reaction to Eric when he returns home after their argument is beautiful. Amanda's words to Brendan in third act so perfectly illuminate who Eric was, as well as the quality of her character. And upon hearing the tragic news while out in the stable, her visceral reaction will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. One might even contend that this is her best performance to date. James Badge Dale and Taylor Kitsch also turn in quality performances as Marsh's next in command, and Brendan's best friend respectively.
Despite the majority of the film's events transpiring in Arizona, it was shot almost entirely on location in and around Santa Fe and Los Alamos, New Mexico-primarily due to the state's sizable tax credit. Happily though, Matt's Saloon, a local staple of Prescott, Arizona on the famed Whiskey Row, was featured as the bar where the crew celebrates after saving the old juniper. Jeff Bridges (as Duane) even sings a little tune there with his band, Duane and the Rusty Pistols!
Aspiring to be as realistic as possible, all of the actors were trained by wildland fire-fighting personnel from the Melrose bombing range led by Captain Daniel Cota, as well as being coached by Chief Steinbrink and other former Hot Shots. Each visceral moment out in the brushland delivers iconic images featuring an imposing horizon and harsh weather conditions that succeed in conveying just how brutal and unpredictable nature can be. Considering the big names attached to the production, it is doubtful that they were as close to the inferno as they appear, but the exceptional computer graphics never have you question the danger for a moment. That being said, Kosinski was able to shoot a real wildland fire in southern New Mexico, which is where you can see the elk racing away from the flames. That moving shot was truly in-camera, and poignantly represented Brendan's inner turmoil as he looked on from the chopper. This commitment to authenticity supplies the primeval and terrifying quality of the experience of being in the heart of a wildland fire. Perhaps the standout visual effects are of the emblematic bear on fire, which is just as Eric describes-as beautiful as it is terrifying and haunting. Kosinski's decision to show more of the vision with each time the event is detailed works to build intrigue, and is a wonderful visual representation of Eric's greatest fear. You can run, but ultimately, you cannot escape it.
Arguably Kosinski's masterpiece, the film leaves a lasting impression you won't soon forget. It is surprisingly difficult to contextualize the raw feelings exposed and elicited by this remarkable film. The only real failure that can be found here is the lack of proper promotion and marketing by the studio. Considered to be a box-office bomb, it only grossed $26.3 million worldwide against a $38 million budget. Despite its positive accolades, the film still remains grossly underrated, with the powers that be not even endowing this amazing tribute with one awards nomination. And yet, it seems to truly capture the spirit of these twenty courageous men, cementing their bravery into the annals of history.
~AleXa~ An original IMDB user
Reviewed July 31st, 2022 - 4th viewing 7/31/22 SU on my Blu-ray at home.