movie review - Braveheart
the journal of Michael Werneburg
twenty-eight years and a million words
Toronto, 1999.12.28
Given that Gibson directed this one, I have to give him a bit of credit because I don't think he's that bright and I think this was his first time. It puts the stolid but sufficient camera work and overly long run time in perspective. There isn't a lot of payoff in watching this, and I found I didn't care for William Wallace, our protagonist. The story's well depicted, if historically dubious. A Scotsman in my building had *many* things to say about it, especially it's treatment of Robert The Bruce.
This thing won a bunch of awards when it came out. I guess I'll be the minority that think it's way too easy to manipulate the viewer's emotions, too grand, and just silly.
Not recommended.