An unrelentingly bleak and depressing drama about an Iraqi war veteran who is unable to deal with his rage.
Comment
12/09/07
Badland (2007)
20 %
Reviews Counted: 15 Fresh: 3 Rotten:12 Average Rating: 4.1/10
Theatrical Release: 23-05-2008
Synopsis: Jerry is a Marine reservist who was a young patriot and idealist when he served in the first Gulf War. But when he is called up for deployment to Afghanistan and Iraq, Jerry is a father of three; older and embittered by a life besieged by broken promises, and unfulfilled desires. Jerry... [More]
Genre: Dramas
Starring: Jamie Draven, Grace Fulton, Vinessa Shaw, Chandra West, Joe Morton
Director: Francesco Lucente
Screenwriter: Francesco Lucente
Producer: Olimpia Lucente, Jörg G. Neumann
Composer: Ludek Drizhal
Screenwriter: Francesco Lucente
Producer: Olimpia Lucente, Jörg G. Neumann
Composer: Ludek Drizhal
Reviews
1 - 15 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Exploiting what it is supposed to renounce, Badland combines a dreadfully long and dull screenplay and extremely plain surroundings to make a well-meaning anti-war film you'll want to miss.
12/07/07
Some good performances. But, the overall disturbing atmosphere of the film is more than I prefer. That said, I appreciate the effort to raise awareness of PTSD.
12/05/07
Badland takes a step in the right direction by attempting to understand the aftermath of war.
12/03/07
Until the mess in the Middle East has found its way to a resolution, we can continue to expect films like Badland as part of the collateral damage in the War on Terror.
12/02/07
Clocking in at just under three hours, writer-director Francesco Lucente's earnest attempt at making an Iraq War-era Coming Home says many things at once without much perspective or clarity.
11/30/07
The mawkish yet weirdly mesmerizing film Badland is independent in scale but aggressively Hollywood in storytelling.
11/30/07
Top Critic
The year's dullest movie has arrived: the deeply silly Badland, which is as dead as winter and twice as long.
11/30/07
Expertly constructed and beautifully photographed, Badland easily sustains its 160-minute running time, and the portrayals of Draven, a British actor, and 9-year-old Fulton can stand alongside the year's best.
11/30/07
Top Critic
Offensive to all and on every level, Badland tops the landfill of this year's worst.
11/30/07
When the picture gets around to its calculated socko ending, the viewer has long been pummeled into a state of numbness.
11/30/07
Top Critic
The raw material would seem to be in place for a strong, moving contemporary tragedy, but scene after endless scene fails to come to life.
11/30/07
Top Critic
At least half the celluloid should have hit the editing room floor, since this one-trick road flick revolves around Jerry's constantly contemplating suicide and belatedly bonding with his daughter while eluding the authorities.
11/29/07
Badland practically begs 'For Your Consideration' without the substance to justify its awards-season epic length.
11/27/07
1 - 15 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Related Forums
(Rated R)-Francesco Lucente’s BADLAND now set to open on Nov. 30, 2007 in NYC & LA!!!
by: ReelReviewer.com 10/10/07
by: ReelReviewer.com 10/10/07
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