Film Review: Empire of the Sun (1987)

In 1980s Steven Spielberg was considered to be the uncrowned king of Hollywood, with films he directed or produced reigning at the box office and being fawned upon by critics. There is, however, one thing he missed – a very loud minority pronounced him a mere “entertainer” with talent for light-hearted family-friendly content and nothing more. Spielberg tried to correct it by making serious adult-oriented dramas. First such attempt, Color Purple, ended with infamous “Oscar” snub. Spielberg tried again with his epic period drama Empire of the Sun.

The film is based on the eponymous semi-autobiographical novel by J.G. Ballard, based on author’s boyhood experiences in China during Second World War. Author’s alter ego and protagonist, played by Christian Bale, is Jamie “Jim” Graham, son of an upper class English family, living in Shanghai. In December 1941, when the plot begins, the city had been occupied by Japanese during the invasion of China, except for the International Settlement where Westerners try to live like the war isn’t their concern and make their surrounding look as Western as possible. All that changes after attack at Pearl Harbor; Japanese troops occupy British and American sections of the Settlement. Jim gets separated from his parents during chaotic attempt of evacuation. Next few weeks, lacking parents, servants and all the perks he has been accustomed to, he tries to survive on the streets and unsuccessfully attempts to surrender to mostly indifferent Japanese troops. Jim is joined by Basie (played by John Malkovich) and Frank Demarest (played by Joe Pantoliano), two American seamen and shady adventurers who survive by looting abandoned stores and houses. When they are finally captured by Japanese, Jim is sent to interment camp where he, like the rest of prisoners, must face lack of food, medicine and proper care. Basie is also at the camp and Jim joins his black market operation, while at the same time, being fascinated by Japanese fighter planes operating from nearby airfield.

Spielberg imagined Empire of the Sun as an old school “larger than life” Hollywood epic, the very kind Academy voters used to shower with golden statues from time to time. It was also an opportunity to deal with serious issues of apocalyptic war being seen from perspective of innocent boy who is forced to grow up under such circumstances. Empire of the Sun has the proper look for such endeavour. Spielberg again proves himself as master director, creating many memorable scenes, aided by cinematographer Allen Daviau, as well as John Williams who delivers another great soundtrack. It was also one of the first major Hollywood production to be made on Chinese locations. Local authorities in Shanghai took great effort to reconstruct pre-war look of the city and PLA provided thousands of extra playing Japanese troops. Spielberg’s skill is especially evident in the beginning, during the scene of Japanese takeover of International Settlement, which is one of the more exciting and spectacular sequence in Spielberg’s career. Spielberg also relies on the talent of Welsh actor Christian Bale, who was 12 years of age during the production, and who very confidently and skilfully portrays spoiled upper-class boy who transforms into skilful street smart survivor, while all the time maintaining boyish fascination with war and cool military gadgets. Unsurprisingly, it was a very good career start for Bale who would later play many great roles and become one of greatest stars of today’s cinema. The rest of the cast is also good, although less impressive than Bale, with John Malkovich leaving somewhat better impression than Miranda Richardson as female camp prisoner and Nigel Havers as camp doctor.

Spielberg tried something different while still making what could be still recognised as Spielbergian film. Empire of the Sun features Spielberg’s favourite plot motive of disrupted family life and protagonist’s desire to restore it; second part of the film allows Spielberg to indulge in many interesting scene that show his fascination with WW2 military aviation. However, Spielberg’s efforts are in many ways compromised by script by Tom Stoppard that looks too cold, too calculating and too cynical for Spielbergian film. The film takes place in occupied and impoverished China, but Chinese almost don’t play any part in the story (apart from their heroic and futile attempt to resist Japanese invaders during the takeover, a scene most likely introduced to win favour of Chinese authorities). Jamie, with his arrogant and irresponsible upper class ways, has trouble winning audience’s sympathies at the beginning and viewers are more likely to sympathise with blue collar adventurers like Basie and Frank. Those two characters, however, appear too little in the film. Jamie’s transformation into ultimate survivor isn’t handled well and is too often compromised with too much sentimentality. Near the end that very sentimentality almost ruins the film, and the epilogue, during which Jamie finally reunites with parents, has less emotional impact than we could have expected. Empire of the Sun looks even worse when compared with films that used some of its plot elements, like Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence and Hope and Glory. This is, however, still a good film that could be recommended to Christian Bale fans and those yearning for old school epics. It looks even better if it is viewed as dress rehearsal for Schindler’s List, Spielberg’s much better and ultimately successful attempt to be recognised as serious film maker.

RATING: 6/10 (++)

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Movie URL: https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/10110-empire-of-the-sun
Critic: AA