It's mid-December 1944 in the Ardennes forest of France. Sgt. Will Knott (Ethan Hawke) is part of a rundown undermanned American intelligence squad. 'Mother' Wilkins (Gary Sinise) is disturbed by his experiences and news of the death of his newborn baby. 'Father' Mundy (Frank Whaley) failed at studying to be a priest. Bud Miller (Peter Berg) is the mechanical genius. Stan Shutzer (Arye Gross) is Jewish. Cpl. Mel Avakian (Kevin Dillon) is their best fighter. Major Griffin (John C. McGinley) is a poor commander and sends the men to a house from where they could monitor an expected German advance. They encounter a group of German troops who have lost the will to fight.
There is a fakeness to this movie that makes it feel more like a fable. I don't think it's meant to be like that. It doesn't have the realism or grittiness that I need from a war movie. The story feels too unreal but without any surreal style. The actors are great and they make this better than it deserves to be.
There is a fakeness to this movie that makes it feel more like a fable. I don't think it's meant to be like that. It doesn't have the realism or grittiness that I need from a war movie. The story feels too unreal but without any surreal style. The actors are great and they make this better than it deserves to be.