The Railway Man (2013)

Based on the heartbreaking journey of World War II veteran Eric Lomax, 'The Railway Man' tells the story of one lonely man's mental development, through his new wife Patti (Nicole Kidman), his old friend Finlay, and the re-discovery of his once-torturer and jailer Takashi Nagase.
Told through a series of flashbacks and fast-forwards, Lomax (Colin Firth) is shown to the audience as a man of trauma and a horror; of psychological warfare, and secrets, something Patti is determined to change when her husband's night terrors and panic attacks return the day after their wedding. A beautiful couple, these two have such touching chemistry it would be hard not to like them, however, both actors appear a little two young to obtain such an old relationship; with both Kidman and Firth looking decades younger than the supporting soldiers, all of whom fought alongside Lomax in the war. They act and move as older characters as well, and whilst this presence is commended, it fails to show on their faces, giving the effect a very dramatic edge - something a film as powerful as this really didn't need.
Playing a young Lomax, however, is 'War Horse' actor Jeremy Irvine, who creates an absolutely blinding performance here, pushing innocence and intelligence to the limits amidst the dry and cracked background of his Japanese prison. In terms of actors, director Jonathon Teplitzky appears to have opted for quantity over quality, and putting the issue of age aside, it really does work here, for the plot and the story are the real stars here, and the audience can feel the care taken with these issues, and the importance of them against the overshadowing of half a a dozen Hollywood stars and celebrity faces taking over the scenes.
Set to work in Japan's 'Death Railway', the British army, Lomax at the helm, are beaten and battered in shame over Britian's surrender in the second World War, and tortured brutally in response to the simply homely act of building a one way radio to listen to the London airwaves, and to hear a little bit of home. The conditions of the railway are designed brutally; the stifling heat and isolation almost burning through the screen, and the punishments predictably heavy and heart-wrenching. A controversial point to be made would be that, though the initial act of torture is dutifully unpleasant, having already seen the repeated and flinchingly enforced brutality of 12 Years A Slave, personally, this scene felt a little over worked, something built up to for a good portion of the film, but lasting only seconds on the screen.
The conclusion, and in a way, climax of the film, was admittedly, stunning. Firth plays an absolutely staunch performance in the final few scenes, leaving every single member of the audience in absolute bewilderment as to his actions when confronted with his old jailer, and questioning even themselves in their moral responsibilities as the credits roll.
A heart-felt, and carefully performed film, perhaps not a family classic, but a softly played and touchingly embracing movie - think The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas, but less cinematic.