The Monuments Men

Last night I watched The Monuments Men (2014), which is the latest project from writer/actor/director George Clooney. This film follows the true events of men who were charged with the care and liberation of the world’s greatest works of art during World War II. The film had a very Indiana Jones feel to it, which can mostly be attributed to the soundtrack and the whole hunting for massive hoards of treasure narrative. The film star’s many a familiar face; Bill Murray, Matt Damon, Cate Blanchett, John Goodman, Bob Balaban, Jean Dujardin and for those of you who are Downton Abbey fans (like myself) Hugh Bonneville. Oh, and of course Mr. Clooney. All in all it was a good film; setting aside the fact that the film is plagued with propaganda about how America is God’s gift to mankind and SPOILER ALERT the fact that pretty much only the American war heroes are left in the end, but the truth to the story behind this film really got me thinking. It saddens me to no end the tragedies that war brings. There are scenes in this film of Nazi soldiers burning hundreds of thousands of works of precious art, of Jewish homes in Paris that have been torn apart or abandoned, and of the devastation that war leaves in its wake. I cannot even begin to imagine the atrocities that Hilter set upon the world, and it says a lot that even a lighthearted film like this one (written, acted and directed in 2014), still has the power to carry across such a strong message; that war is never worth the casualties it brings. If you are look for a good laugh (or a good cry) and for an outstanding display of camaraderie between actors then this movie is the one for you.