Civil War: A mommy movie night Must See!
by: LaLacia Kane
Spring break last year was unforgettable, I found the one town in Texas that I actually loved...Austin and my little family hung out with my girlfriend from Boot Camp and USCG A School. We had been friends for years 15 to be exact, but not only hanging out with my 'Lover' we were in Austin during the South by Southwest film festival.
My eyes were wide opened looking for celebrities and if we did not have the kiddos with us, I probably could have convinced my husband to actually go to movie screening. However, this did not happen but one movie that was at the festival that piqued my interest was Civil War directed by Alex Garland. Loving anything dystopian and Kirsten Dunst (since Interview with a Vampire) I knew had to see this movie. Life happened and even though I planned to see the movie in Theaters, that plan was a bust.
I was excited to see that Civil War was on Max and is a mommy must see. The film stars Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaney, Stephen McKinley, Sonoya Mizuno, and Nick Offerman as the President of the United States, or Un-United States. The film follows a group of journalists and from the start Garland does an excellent job of showing the audience the main character Leigh's (Dunst) trauma. While the premise of Civil War is a simple one, we have already gone through a civil war, and this is not a political blog so I will not get into that aspect; the audience can feel through the camera angels, shoots and Dunst's quiet calm in chaos that America is really going through the ringer. The main crew Dunst and Moura take in a young photojournalist Spaeny, and older journalist McKinley on a road trip to D.C. where Dunst's ultimate goal is to interview the President before rebel factions close in on D.C.
The reason why America is in Civil War is never really stated, which to me added to the appeal of this movie, no matter if you are left, right or in the middle--Garland shows the tragedies of war from unbiased perspective the news. The news was always supposed to be unbiased and fair. There is also a human aspect to this movie where Dunst at first does not want to take these tag-a-longs on a road trip, but in a motherly mentoring way guides Spaeny to get the war pictures she needs to become award-winning photographer like her character. However, Dunst knows the psychological trauma that happens when you are in line of work that gives you an extra dose of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Seeing this young journalist hungry and motivated Dunst is providing her the skills to pass the torch, because let us face it, this line of work is dangerous. The PTSD is where the motherly aspect of this movie lies, and the photography is the mentoring, they build a little family type of unit in trying to get to D.C. My toxic trait is giving away spoilers, which I am not doing in this blog post but if you have seen the movie let me know in the comments. I would love to chat and get your opinions of the movie.
If you have not seen the movie, it is on Max and available on Amazon Prime to rent for $5.99! I give this movie a mommy must see...get your wine and popcorn ready.
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