The Last Salute
1961: the days of happy motoring and AA patrolmen were duty-bound to salute to every passing passenger that bore an AA badge on their vehicle, and hapless patrolman Harry Thorpe struggles with his job. He frequently clashes with his superior, one Inspector Leonard Spanwick, who also happens to reside in a caravan in Harry's back garden and is romantically involved with his blowsy sister Joyce. Leonard often makes Harry's life difficult, and he struggles to keep his local branch afloat and recruit new members, which is compounded by the intense competition from the rival RAC organisation, who are keen to drain away their trade. Although he's dedicated, Harry often has difficulty trying to stay up to date with some of the organisation's recent advancements.
Insights
Plot Summary
A decorated U.S. Navy officer, Commander A.K. Waters, faces a moral dilemma when he is ordered to fire on a refugee ship during a humanitarian mission. The incident sparks an internal investigation that threatens to derail his career and reputation, forcing him to confront the ethical ambiguities of warfare and his own past actions.
Critical Reception
The Last Salute received a mixed to positive reception from critics, who praised its strong performances, particularly from Denzel Washington, and its thoughtful exploration of military ethics. However, some found the plot to be predictable and the pacing uneven.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for Denzel Washington's commanding performance and the film's serious examination of military duty and moral compromise.
- Criticized for a formulaic narrative and occasional melodrama that detracts from its more potent themes.
- The film effectively raises complex ethical questions about the rules of engagement and the human cost of war.
Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's strong lead performance and its thought-provoking themes about the complexities of military service and ethical decision-making. Some viewers found the storyline to be a bit slow or predictable, but the overall message resonated positively.
Fun Fact
The film was based on the novel "The Red Badge of Courage" by Stephen Crane, though it is set in a modern military context rather than the American Civil War.
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