Recently I revisited Edward Zwick's Glory; a depiction of Colonel Robert Shaw's African-American infantry in the Civil War. Watching this film as a child, the only scattered pieces I remembered were Denzel Washington's single tear during his public whipping, a mute drummer boy, Morgan Freeman being awesome, and the appearance of the "As you wish!" guy from Princess Bride. And of course, who could forget the uproarious sing-a-long prayer on the eve of battle? "Oh my Lawd, Lawd, Lawd, Lawd!"Watching this as an adult, I was able to hold the same appreciation from its 1989 release date. It's still as moving and as heartfelt as I remembered but perhaps with a bit more empathy on my part what with my loosely imparted post-collegiate knowledge of American history. However, there were was one major blip on the radar on an otherwise heartfelt film.
How come I didn't remember what a pansy Matthew Broderick was? I mean, honestly. I have not done any research to prove whether Broderick's portrayal of Colonel Robert Shaw is accurate, but suffice to say had anyone been portraying Broderick in the same role, his African-American infantry would've marched straight into the bottom of a lake.
He pushed an entire group of African-American foot soldiers to carry on, push through the hardships and adversity that other White soldiers in their own war couldn't recognize? What sort of life did Robert Shaw lead before signing on as the man who would lead this group into battle? We know nothing of this man, save the letters he had sent to his mother that Broderick so delicately dictated. By the end of the film, we sense an overwhelming change in Shaw, yet what was the issue he had to face to find himself? We know absolutely nothing.
I suppose I find Broderick's portrayal so humorous because of the sheer... well, humor that he seems to play it with. The scene that best highlights this thought takes place when Broderick storms into the Quatermaster's office and demands supplies that he has been repeatedly denied. "I want 600 pairs of shoes and 1200 pairs of socks... and anything else you've been holding out on us, you piece of rat filth!" He begins 'roughing the place up' and making a lot of noise before calling the Quatermaster an ignorant cuss. With his pencil mustache and his Army-issued cloak, I couldn't help but picture Broderick slapping the Quatermaster in the face with a glove and challenging him to a duel. Perhaps Broderick is channeling the wrong era and is playing Shaw too much like a gentleman.
We are to believe that this man challenged someone has difficult as Denzel Washington's character? Morgan Freeman took orders from him? That "As You Wish!" guy wouldn't question his authority?!
As the film drew to its close, I got teary-eyed watching the men march into their final battle as the White infantry looked on shouting, "Give 'em Hell, '54!" Had Broderick's portrayal been anything but a parody, perhaps I would look more fondly on such a heartfelt and joyful movie. Yet again, perhaps this is what makes me an ignorant cuss.
Well said. This may in fact be Broderick's finest comedic turn.
ReplyDeleteAlso, at one point, the Museum of the Moving Image had an exhibit where you can overdub certain lines from Glory -- presumably to learn about sound editing. Hint: it's more fun if you make up your own lines.