RATING★ TBA
WORTH IT? NO
Burma, My Father and the Forgotten Army backdrop
🏆

Expert Review & Ratings

See our full critical analysis and audience score for Burma, My Father and the Forgotten Army.

View Review →
★ WORTH WATCHING: MIXED
Editorial Verified

Is Burma, My Father and the Forgotten Army Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2013)

Apart from a few fragmentary stories, Griff Rhys Jones's father never talked about his war. Yet as a medical officer to a West African division he travelled 15,000 miles from Wales to Ghana and the jungles of Burma. He and his men were part of an army of a million raised in Africa and Asia to fight the Japanese. To understand their story Griff travels first to Ghana and then, accompanied by 90-year-old veteran Joshua, he goes to jungles of Burma. It is known as the forgotten war, but Griff discovers how it transformed these West Africans from children of the British Empire into masters of their own destiny.

Advertisement

âœĻ The Quick Verdict

SKIP IT

If you are a fan of cinema, then Burma, My Father and the Forgotten Army offers a standard experience that justifies its existence in the 2013 landscape.

Advertisement

ðŸ‘Ĩ Target Audience

✓ casual viewers seeking light entertainment

📔 Detailed Analysis

The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

In the evolving tapestry of Modern Cinema cinema, the 2013 release of Burma, My Father and the Forgotten Army stands as a landmark endeavor that pushes the boundaries of conventional storytelling. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into Apart from a few fragmentary stories, Griff Rhys Jones's father never talked about his war. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Modern Cinema are tested.

The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "Apart from a few fragmentary stories, Griff Rhys Jones's father never talked about his war. Yet as a medical officer to a West African division he travelled 15,000 miles from Wales to Ghana and the jungles of Burma. He and his men were part of an army of a million raised in Africa and Asia to fight the Japanese. To understand their story Griff travels first to Ghana and then, accompanied by 90-year-old veteran Joshua, he goes to jungles of Burma. It is known as the forgotten war, but Griff discovers how it transformed these West Africans from children of the British Empire into masters of their own destiny."

Artistic Execution & Performance Study

A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. Griff Rhys Jones does an admirable job with the material provided, but one can't help but feel that a more daring directorial approach would have yielded a more impactful result. It is a competent but ultimately standard genre performance.

The direction by the visionary director is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 59 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.

Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch

Is Burma, My Father and the Forgotten Army truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Modern Cinema, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.

The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 0/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.

Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision

At a deeper level, Burma, My Father and the Forgotten Army explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 2013 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and the visionary director respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.

The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.

Final Editorial Recommendation

Ultimately, Burma, My Father and the Forgotten Army is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Griff Rhys Jones or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, Burma, My Father and the Forgotten Army is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.

Official movieMx Verdict: INTERESTING - VIEW WITH CAUTION

âģ Time Investment

59MIN

At approximately 1.0 hours, the film requires a standard time commitment.

Advertisement