Short review: Defiance

Director: Edward Zwick
(2008)

Set in the forests of Belorussia, Defiance follows 4 brothers (Daniel Craig, Jamie Bell, George MacKay, Liev Schreiber) as they build camps to protect their fellow Jews from the invading Nazi’s. The performances make Defiance work, especially from Craig and Schreiber who have good chemistry together, making their brotherhood seem genuine. Wonderful pacing helps keep events interesting; as essential to the enjoyment of the film as the solid action scenes. Defiance falters by doing little to develop its characters, with a too little focus on supporting characters that often play a lame stereotype. This also applies to the leads, Craig’s character possesses no development, save for getting sick and grouchy half way through. while far from cheery, little is done to make the Germans seem like a threat, making events less distressing. Defiance makes for a solid drama, but not a spectacular one.

7