Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Vin Diesel, Giovanni Ribisi, Edward Burns, Adam Goldberg, Barry Pepper, Tom Sizemore
Rank: 71
It's not often that a film comes along that has such a compelling story and astronomical acting performances that it moves people deep inside. Saving Private Ryan is that kind of film- it completely captivates the audience with an amazing plot, carried by the best performances of many of the stars' careers.
Many are familiar with the story of Saving Private Ryan, and the aim of this blog has never been to give a synopsis of the films but rather to dig in to why it is on AFI's list and what social relevance the film has. This film's plot is the relevance, though. The story is of Captain John Miller (played by Hanks) and his crew that venture off to find Private Ryan, who has lost all three of his brothers to combat, and send him home to his mother. The group of men are just every-day Joes. Captain Miller is an English Composition teacher at a high school in Alabama when he's not serving his country. It shows us this: courage isn't the lack of fear, but rather going ahead with what you need to do when fear is present. These men, although there was certainly fear in them, went ahead with a mission that most of them thought was foolish and futile. They had a duty to perform, and some even sacrificed their lives for this mission.
A great acting performance is no easy feat. If it was, then anyone and everyone would be able to deliver Oscar-worthy performances in every project they take on. Great acting requires dedication, discipline, and a willingness to expose your vulnerabilities, as well as a slew of other traits. When a film has once exceptional acting performance, it is spectacular, but when a film has an entire cast that delivers award-worthy performances that can bring the audience to tears, it is truly a grand achievement. There is not a single actor in Saving Private Ryan who does not give himself wholly to his character, who does not completely devote himself to his craft in this movie. The cast is perfect- great chemistry with each other, total realism in their role, and consummate devoutness to telling a great story with their art.
Although, the great acting performances are not only because of exceptional actors, but also because of a director who is absolutely astounding at what he does. This is definitely not the first time we've come across a Steven Spielberg film on this list, nor will it be the last time. The name "Spielberg" is associated with great movie-making. Whether he directs or produces, his films are a great contribution to cinema. He is even one of the co-founders of DreamWorks. There are at least three of Spielberg's films on AFI's list that involve World War II or Nazis, and with good reason: Spielberg, who is Jewish, suffered from anti-Semitic attacks when he was a child. (source: Contactmusic News) His films that deal with Nazism are always so astonishing because of his personal passion for the subject. Antisemitism is not something that should be taken lightly, nor is any other form of discrimination, but making films that hit close to home for the filmmaker always make them much more powerful.
I hope that everyone will see this film, especially those who are interested in acting. Saving Private Ryan is a spectacular film, and I enjoy it (and always get emotional) every time I watch it.
Movies to Go: 75
