In every war, creative masterminds return from battlefields with new ideas and fresh perspectives. Tolkien’s World War horrors famously inspired his fantasy. The Iraq War may be too recent to have such enduring media legacies, but the nearly decade-long conflict inspired plenty of action-packed cinema. The first stateside film to emerge from the dust was 2005’s American Soldiers, although many subsequent works gained significantly more critical acclaim.
Many of the resulting works about the Middle Eastern conflict ultimately “took sides.” Some films argued for the war’s necessity, showcasing its soldiers’ trauma as shining examples of patriotism. Other works, such as Hayao Miyazaki’s Howl’s Moving Castle, spoke against the conflict, highlighting the conflict’s brutality. In 2017, six years after the Iraq War ended, Fernando Coimbra introduced yet another silver-screen depiction of the conflict. Sand Castle debuted on Netflix on April 21, 2017. It received lukewarm critical reactions, with many complaining about its convoluted plot and ambiguity. However, its most remarkable feature was its gripping performance by Henry Cavill.
Sand Castle Is a Gritty Depiction of War Overseas
- Henry Cavill was pinned as an ideal star thanks to his rugged look and longstanding respect for the military.
- Luke Evans was originally slated for a starring role as Sergeant Harper, but he was ultimately replaced by Logan Marshall-Green.
- Glen Powell exercised extensively to get in shape for his role as Sergeant Chutsky.
Unlike many in its genre, Sand Castle has no true opinion on its central conflict. It never argues for or against its bloodshed, preferring to center itself around the individuals caught in the crossfire. Similarly, it shies away from more fanciful depictions and metaphors for battle. In other words, Sand Castle is the essence of a straightforward, no-nonsense war film.
The film is mostly told from the viewpoint of Civil Affairs Private Matt Ocre (Nicholas Hoult). After escaping the bloodshed of Baghdad, Ocre’s unit is sent to meet Special Forces Captain Syverson (Henry Cavill) in the tumultuous village of Baqubah. There, they are to build a water tower to support the region’s war-weary populace.
Historically speaking, such supportive measures were part of the larger “winning hearts and minds” (or WHAM) public relations strategy. Soldiers were expected to help locals and win their trust, thereby increasing positive sentiments towards American troops. Strategists hoped that the resultant goodwill would yield cooperation amongst a hesitant and wartorn populace.
Related
Henry Cavill Is the Best Part of this Divisive Greek Mythology Movie
Before he became Superman, Henry Cavill stole the show as Theseus in the now-forgotten Immortals.
1
As in life, Sand Castle’s WHAM efforts come with a steep price tag. Wary locals refuse to aid soldiers, forcing them to seek their own aid. With the roads occupied by hostile resistance fighters, the film’s central group is forced into constant conflict. Eventually, their efforts win enough local support, though it’s too little too late.
By the film’s conclusion, audiences are left to ponder what may be the most political statement Sand Castle has to offer. Left with little more than psychological scars and mandatory leave, Ocre reluctantly boards a plane. The fates of many of the film’s other characters, including Cavill’s Captain Syverson, are left ambiguous.
Critical Response to Sand Castle
- Sand Castle’s writer, Chris Roessner, based the film on his combat experiences during the war.
- According to Roessner, the screenplay was inspired by a viewing of Platoon while in Iraq.
- Glen Powell took exercise advice from Sylvester Stallone to prepare for his role.
By its release date, Sand Castle already had considerable competition. Iraq War films had been popping up in theaters since 2003, including many with far more prestige and cultural weight. In 2009, Hurt Locker introduced audiences to the nail-biting anxiety of Iraq’s twisting urban battlefields. A year later, The Green Zone critiqued the devastating conflict’s shaky political motives.
Fernando Coimbra had a mountain to climb, and critical responses suggest he didn’t quite reach the summit; Sand Castle received middling reviews. Both critics and audiences were divided on the film’s overall messaging, wanting something more from such a deeply personal vision of modern warfare.
Related
Henry Cavill's New Movie Proves Which Actor Is the Perfect Dark Knight
Henry Cavill has many memorable scenes in Guy Ritchie's newest spy comedy, but another actor's action scenes show he has what it takes to play Batman.
However, Sand Castle earned high praise for its script and direction. Its stunning visuals and sand-swept vistas contributed to a truly emotional and immersive experience. Its characters, though introduced roughly, resonated with many. Similarly, Roessner’s experiences shined, giving the film a remarkably believable depth that many war films lack.
More relevantly, reviewers lauded the core casts’ performances. The raw emotion and stellar action performances breathed life into the film’s mish-mashed combatants. Each character had a role, and each actor was fully immersed in that mindset. The film’s simplistic plot and ideological neutrality act as a display case, through which each performance brilliantly shines. Without the usual war film distractions, audiences are wholly committed to each character and tied to their fates.
That innate connection may contribute to the general dissatisfaction with the film’s ending. However, many combat veterans complimented the film’s tonal realism, noting that soldiers don’t always receive closure. The same reviewers also hailed the film’s depiction of military friendships.
Henry Cavill’s Role in Sand Castle
- Most of Sand Castle was filmed on location in Jordan.
- Roessner cited World War-era poetry as a narrative inspiration for Sand Castle.
- Writer Chris Roessner stated that he had long dreamed of being a filmmaker, even before joining the military.
The pop culture image of Henry Cavill is intrinsically tied to his stint as Superman. His roles are often upbeat and optimistic. Sand Castle breaks the trend, placing Cavill in the role of a downtrodden and bitter career soldier. As Syverson, Cavill has seen enough combat to know the costs of war. His starry-eyed optimism and sense of heroism have long since faded, giving way to a grizzled cynic.
Beyond his military service, little is known about Syverson. Like the other characters introduced in Sand Castle, Syverson is presented as nothing more than a battle-hardened soldier in the heat of a seemingly endless conflict. The audience is to focus on Syverson’s actions now, not in light of what he may have been at home. This in media res storytelling is a unique approach that highlights Sand Castle’s commitment to being an apolitical, no-nonsense recreation of wartime experiences. However, it also forces Cavill to build his own character.
Related
The 30-second cameo from Henry Cavill in Deadpool & Wolverine just got a little funnier as the film's box office breaks the actor's superhero 'curse.'
Despite these hurdles, Cavill’s performance ultimately coalesces into the perfect embodiment of war’s psychological fatigue. Even without substantial backstory, Cavill portrays the nuances of warfare’s toll on a soldier’s well-being. His low, rough delivery of each line betrays Syverson’s sense of hopelessness, yet that determined underlying twang speaks to a sense of dutiful dedication to a cause.
There’s a pervasive sense of longstanding pessimism that manifests as a sense of somber contemplation throughout the film. As Syverson, Cavill embraces this spirit of combat-scarred hopelessness. Sand Castle’s atmosphere has a surprisingly sparse serving of adrenaline, preferring to align itself with the depressive underpinnings of 1917 — albeit without much of the action.
More disturbingly, the darkness of warfare has overwhelmed Syverson’s mind. He espouses outright hatred for locals and demeans those around him, lashing out however he can in a world of constant uncertainty. It’s a massive departure from the bubbly go-getter attitudes Cavill so often embodies, yet he assumes the role with ease. Shedding his usual debonair demeanor, Cavill perfectly embodies Syverson’s unfettered and abrasive leadership style.
Syverson is a radical departure from Cavill’s roles as Superman and even further from his comedic place in Argyle. The stark contrast between these roles is as jarring as it is impressive, as Sand Castle definitively proves Cavill’s acting abilities. Yes, he’s Superman. He’s Napoleon Solo and Sherlock Holmes. So often, Cavill embodies joy and light, while Sand Castle proves his ability to capture the world’s darkness. Every unsavory comment he throws out as Syverson is so antithetical to his character, yet each word is spoken with vitriolic ease. If nothing else, despite the film’s lackluster theatrical reception. Sand Castle is the perfect showcase for Cavill’s outstanding acting range.
Your Rating
Rate Now 0/10
Your comment has not been saved
Sand Castle
TV-MA
DramaAction
War
- Release Date
- April 21, 2017
- Runtime
- 113 minutes
- Director
- Fernando Coimbra
Cast
-
Nicholas Hoult
-
Logan Marshall-Green
-
Henry Cavill
-
Glen Powell
WHERE TO WATCH
Streaming
The story follows a young soldier, and his introduction into the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Based on true events, it bears witness to the destruction and horrors of war.
- Writers
- Chris Roessner
- Main Genre
- Drama
Powered by
