A bit of historical fiction using the German invasion of Stalingrad as a setting to highlight life purpose, love, propaganda, courage and the atrocity of war (not necessarily in that order). Jude Law is a country boy sent to the Stalingrad front where he meets up with Joseph Fiennes propaganda officer. Fiennes turns Law into a hero and inspiration based on his ability as a sharpshooter. The larger than life personality attracts the attention of the Germans, who send their own sniper (Ed Harris) to kill this hero and demoralize the Russian soldiers. Add in a love triangle, a cute kid, and a bit of self doubt and you have a story. What struck me the most was the ridiculous decisions made by the Russian commanders. Their running of the war (according to this telling) was almost keystone cops. The blatant disregard for life and inability to put any effort into maximizing even their own troop's lives was disturbing. I know that war, by definition, does not value life, but the visualization of this callous decision-making was dramatic.
3 stars (out of 5)
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