Empire of the Sun

Easily one of the most underrated films of Steven Spielberg would be the unique World War II film, Empire of the Sun. It takes a look at a forgotten chapter in the history of that war and looks at it from the  perspective of a 13 year old boy who has to figure out how to survive against incredible odds while all on his own. 

Jim Graham (played by Christian Bale) is a spoiled only child living in luxury in the International Zone of Shanghai, China. Immediately following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese forces attack and occupy Shanghai and in the ensuing chaos, Jim is separated from his folks. Forced to survive on his own, Jim crosses paths with American expatriate and hustler Baise (played by John Malkovich) and his partner Frank (played by Joe Pantoliano) and Baise takes a bit of a shine to Jim. Soon, all three are captured by the Japanese and carted off to a prison camp for the duration of the war. Jim, who is obsessed with aviation and especially war planes, is thrilled to discover the camp is literally next door to a Military airport, where Japanese men are training to be kamikaze pilots. During his time there, he is taken under the care of the camp's doctor, Dr. Rawlins (played by Nigel Havers) and lives with him and Mrs. Victor (played by Miranda Richardson). He manages to survive in the camp working an elaborate trading network along with his friendship with Baise and the other American soldiers in the POW barracks, whom Jim idolizes. He also bonds with a young student pilot on the other side of the barb wire fence who is training at the air field next to the camp.

The film is an adaption of the autobiographical novel by J.G Ballard, who went through experiences very similar to Jim in the film. Steven Spielberg opted to make the film because he found the idea of viewing World War II through the eyes of a child would offer an interesting perspective. As the film opens, Jim is singing Suo Gan, a traditional Welsh lullaby, in his school choir and he is every bit a child. Then as the film goes on, all of Jim's riches, as well as his parents and their protection, are stripped from him and he is forced to have to fend for himself. At the same time, little by little, Jim's naivety and innocence is stripped away as he figures out ways to survive. There is a scene early in the film where the people are being taken to the new camp and they aren't going to take Jim with, except Jim realizes that he's the only one who knows where it actually is (it's not far from where his Dad's country club was) not only earning him a spot on the truck, but winds up hanging on to the side if the truck, standing on the running board, giving the driver directions and showing him where to go on a map and even slapping the driver when he doesn't pay attention. Jim is forced to grow up quick during his time at the camp as he witnesses death and disease around him due to the terrible conditions and finds solace only in Dr. Rawlins tutoring and his friendship with Baise. But even then, Jim still holds on to certain things that give him joy such as his love of aviation. When the air strip is bombed by the Allies at the climax of the film, everyone else is running for cover, but Jim runs to the roof of the highest building in the camp to get a better look at the passing planes, shouting in joy as each plane makes a bombing run. Still, despite these aspects, the effects of the war have had an incredible effect as the boy is no longer at all innocent by the end of the ordeal. Throughout all of this, Spielberg manages to do a fantastic job crafting a riveting and unique coming of age drama.

The performances in the film are impressive, starting with an early starring role for young Christian Bale who more or less has to carry the film, already showing the immense acting talent he would be known for. He does a great job showing the immense change Jim's experiences have had on him, taking him from a prim and proper little spoiled brat with his head in the clouds to the courageous, scrappy kid in the prison camp that manages to earn everyone's respect over the course of the film. John Malkovich has the more fun role as the cool Baise, the kind of guy who always manages to get by no matter the situation and makes it easy to see why Jim idolizes him. Joe Pantoliano, Joey Pants to his real fans, is always a welcome sight in a movie and adds his own unique charms to this film as well. Nigel Havers has a nice turn as Dr. Rawlins, who becomes a bit of a surrogate father figure for young Jamie during their time in the prison camp. Ben Stiller pops up at the camp as another American prisoner of war in the barracks (and his work on this film would at least in part provide the initial inspiration of his own film, Tropic Thunder).          

Empire of the Sun remains as one of the more underrated Spielberg films, overshadowed by his bigger hits, but in my opinion remains one of his absolute best films. It contains all the themes and trademarks that Spielberg has been known for but elevated and viewed from the perspective of a child forced by his own circumstances to grow up far too fast. It has a riveting performance from Christian Bale anchoring the film and backed by one of my all time favorite scores from John Williams. It's been one of my favorite Spielberg films ever since I saw it on video way back when I was in High School after discovering it at Blockbuster. Even then, I was surprised this film wasn't better known.