La Mission

Un western roadmovie tranquille sans intrigue dramatique marquante, mais avec un petit cœur humaniste. C'est tout simplement Hanks. Son but est de montrer de nouveaux coins et personnages de la conquête de l'Ouest américain, ses lois et ses souffrances. De manière plus réaliste que The Postman de Costner :-) On ne sent pas beaucoup la présence de Greengrass. Est-ce qu'il l'a vraiment réalisé ? Le retour de James N. Howard dans le genre est agréable même si, à cause de la conception minimaliste du film, on en profitera pleinement après les génériques uniquement. (23/01/2021)

Défi cinéma – les genres : western. Ces derniers temps, j’observe la tendance des films de deux heures dans lesquels l’histoire occupe la seconde place et où l’accent est mis sur des longs plans, sur la photographie et sur une intrigue minimaliste, voire inexistante. Au début, j’ai cru que La Mission était coulé dans le même moule, mais une scène de western classique a fini par arriver, ce qui m’a fait sortir de ma léthargie et regarder la suite plus attentivement. Après, le tempo ralentit à nouveau, mais en gros, c’est un western correct dans lequel Helena Zengel joue avec brio. (25/04/2021)

More was probably expected from a Paul Greengrass/Tom Hanks collaboration. For me, it's a an unnecessary and uninteresting film that didn't bring anything new. It's shot well, acted well (Helena Zengel, after System Crasher, proves once again that she is on an excellent path). The stumbling block for me is the story, did Greengrass really have to choose such an uninteresting subject? Watching a traveling journalist in the Wild West is probably the most boring option available. It lacks action, emotion, drive, and tension – everything I like basically. Weak three stars for Hanks. Story***, Action*, Humor>No, Violence>No, Entertainment**, Music***, Visuals***, Atmosphere***, Tension**. 5/10. (15/01/2021)

A few years after the Civil War, Captain Kidd is traveling through Texas reading the news to the people. One day he comes across a little girl who was once abducted by Indians, and he decides to return her to her relatives. But it's not going to be an easy journey. This intimate western relies on great cinematography, music and an excellent Tom Hanks in the lead role, and isn't afraid of a slower pace, but unfortunately it tells a story that is woefully transparent and not very revelatory. And ultimately a little boring. (21/01/2021)

Paul went out of his comfort zone into the prairie, where life is a circle, and you have to remember that in order to move on. A simple but beautifully constructed story, told with fluid camera strokes, that you've heard a hundred times before, but that the Hanks-Zengel duo will want to hear again and again. The film is a quiet commentary on America's brokenness and the need for kindness and acceptance of difference. It may not have any dizzying depth, but it's certainly Greengrass' most personal, intimate and moving work, and its simple goodness made me believe at times that the world isn't messed up. Hats off and I love it. (10/02/2021)