In “Unbroken: Path To Redemption” Audiences Get the Rest of Louis Zamperini’s Story

“Unbroken: Path To Redemption” (Universal Pictures)

In 2014 Angelina Jolie directed a film titled “Unbroken” which was based on Laura Hillienbrand’s book about Louis Zamperini. Zamperini was an athlete who competed in the Olympics and later served in World War II. His plane was shot down and he was at sea for many days before being found by the Japanese and placed in a prisoner of war camp. There he was treated brutally but was finally freed. He returned home a hero,

Now we have “Unbroken” Path To Redemption,” a new film which is also based on Hillenbrand’s book. This new movie tells the rest of the story starting with Zamperini’s (Samuel Hunt) return home. He is embraced by his family and friends and seems to have put the war behind him. But he can not outdistance his dreams. He s tortured by his memories of the “Bird,” a Japanese guard (David Sakurai) who brutalized him constantly.

Louis tries to drown his mental pictures with alcohol but it does no good. Even when he meets a wonderful young woman named Cynthia (Merritt Patterson) and falls in love, he still is tormented by his past. He sinks further and further into misery until it seems there is no hope.

The movie is good at presenting all of Zamperini’s problems. You get a complete picture of the man and are fully aware of the incidents in his past that haunt him. Yet as involving as it is the audience never truly falls into the story. The main reason for this is the cast. By and large they are unknowns. You need one “star” in the movie to bring audiences into the theaters and to convince them this is a Hollywood production.

Hunt and Patterson are not known names in the acting world. They may some day be, but at this point that are virtually anonymous. Even Will Graham, who portrays his grandfather Billy Graham, is not a known personality at this point. He sounds like Billy Graham and even looks a bit like him but his being in the role is not a draw.

On the other hand we are able to believe the actors as the characters because we are not distracted by preconceived views of their talent as seen in other productions. Still the lack of star quality or charisma towers over the value of their anonymity. It is a battle these actors lose.

The film is rated PG-13 for violence.

Louis Zamperini’s life is one deserving of scrutiny and attention. He was an Olympian and a prison camp survivor. However he had internal and external forces that threatened to destroy him. This movie tells of his life’s “second half.” In “Unbroken” you viewed the life of a survivor. In “Unbroken: Path To Redemption” you get a chance to see the further achievements of a truly remarkable man.

I scored “Unbroken: Path to Redemption” a redeemed 6 out of 10.

Jackie K Cooper

www.jackiekcooper.com