Gripping story with well-crafted characters

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

I had to watch this movie for a school project. I kind of dreaded it at first, but the movie is easy to get into. It has a drawing opening. The historical context is great, too. I felt as though I was learning as well as enjoying a movie for a class totally unrelated to History. But anyways, I felt like the movie wasn't action-packed enough. It was supposed to be a "drama/war R-rated movie" so that's what I expected. I was really anticipating the shoot 'em up bang bang type of movie, but that is not what we got. Most of the time I felt like I was just listening to a movie rather than watching a movie. Which I am not knocking it for, it was just something really unexpected. But all in all, it was a good movie, I would suggest it for others to watch. I rate it 3 out of 5 stars.

This was not a film a WWII vet would enjoy. Trust me.When my 73-year-old father-in-law came to visit, my wife decided to fill an afternoon with a video he might like, a war movie. Being Christmastime, she chose this particular war movie for her elderly father.One would assume such a man might be uncomfortable watching a war movie featuring disdain for the Army, snowball fights with the Germans, random religious symbolism, a homo-necro-erotic moment, collusion with the enemy, and a deeply felt anti-war message. Though I think this is one of the finest anti-war movies (with a Christmas theme) ever made, I did point out to my wife that we do have a copy of "12 O'Clock High" she could have shown her dad instead. (He was grumpy for the next two days after watching this.)Beautiful direction and camera work, with Utah subbing for the German-French frontier in wintertime. (You will feel colder watching this movie.) A thoughtful film with tension, grace, action, emerging stars and a fascinating story, "A Midnight Clear" isn't a family film, by any means. There are too many "F"-bombs for kids, and too little John Wayne, respect, and gung-ho attitude (but enough blood) for the Greatest Generation.Like "M*A*S*H" in its darker moments? Then you're going to like "A Midnight Clear".

It is well made and well acted, however the plot is extremely limited to make it worth while watching.The film centuries around a lone patrol of relative misfits in the Ardenne forests during the winter of 1944. The essential plot to the movie is, if u where a German soldier wanting to surrender, what would you do? The makers of this drama feel it is OK to dwell on it for two hours whereas in most films it is a question of hands up, drop your weapons and come out...For me it is very important for a film to be faithful to the truth, but since I don't know for certain the kind of people and situations that arouse during the IIWW I cannot totally debunk or praise this film.Whether u like it or not depends on believing the characters, though I can accept that weird situations did arise, I have found it too cinematic, too Hollywood like, to feel it is an accurate portrayal of the situation.All in all, I would recommend to lower your expectations before watching it, and maybe your will be pleasantly surprised, rather than build them up only to feel deceived.As a final note, comparing it with Black Hawk Down or Apocalipse Now is like comparing a VW Beetle to a top of the range Mercedes or BMW.

I always have admired Keith Gordon's adaptation of William Wharton's novel ever since i first saw it when i was younger. Its effective, emotional, draws strong performances out of its young (well, at the time) cast, but most importantly, its unique. Different has always been good- it makes things more compelling. Its a WWII movie unlike any other, and it shows a different side of war. M. Gordon's directing is excellent, and i've heard the same thing from many young filmmakers that i know. I won dwell much on the story because IMDb's policy is so strong and this is my first time writing a comment, but i'd recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys quality cinema: You don't need to be a die-hard war movie fan to get something out of this movie. Kudos for drawing such a strong response out of the cast on such a interesting story.