REVIEW: Empire of the Sun [1987]

Rating: PG | Runtime: 153 minutes
Release Date: December 9th, 1987 (USA)
Studio: Warner Bros.
Director(s): Steven Spielberg
Writer(s): Tom Stoppard / J.G. Ballard (novel)

Like God taking a photograph.

Empire of the Sun is definitely a Steven Spielberg film. It has the epic scenery and action, the sentimental underlying tale of survival, and tragedy to overcome. Sure, this one has the eventual happy ending like most Spielberg films, but it really can be taken multiple ways. Most of his recent films have gone too far into sap if not just ending happier than one would expect contextually (see AI, Minority Report, and Catch Me If You Can). Thankfully, like with last year’s Munich, Empire of the Sun has a conclusion that fits like a glove. A mix of melancholy and hope for the future that never forgets the arduous path taken to get back home.

Christian Bale is a chameleon and one of the best character actors in leading men role that Hollywood has to offer. So, it’s amazing to see just how good he was even as a kid—especially since many child stars never find an avenue to leverage early success into a sustainable career. His control of facial expressions and emotions make it hard to believe he’s only thirteen. We see his internal workings and intelligence as well as an infectious smile that lights up his face—Bale hasn’t changed one bit. He carries this film as Jim not only because it’s his story of becoming a man during a time of war where his aristocratic upbringing literally saves his life a few times, but also because he outperforms everyone on-screen.

Jim’s journey through China to try and stay alive amongst the Japanese troops and other POWs of British and American nationalism has him coming across a wonderful cast of characters. You have great performances from Nigel Havers as the prison camp doctor and Miranda Richardson as a sickly British upper class woman to serve as father and mother figures in his life. Havers helped keep up the boy’s education while Richardson gave him a home with her husband and someone to care for him when everyone else selfishly looked after themselves.

Another major role comes courtesy of the great John Malkovich playing the kind of character he does best. Basie is a man who survives with intelligence that’s higher than his social standing while helping to keep his life of crime successful. Malkovich is definitely a friend to Jim, but one who will never sacrifice his own wellbeing for the boy. He keeps close to the child when it suits his ambitions and has no trouble severing ties when necessary. It’s a great showing of character development when Jim realizes who it was that really cared for him, deciding to stay with Richardson and finally stand up to Basie.

Notice must also be made for Takatoro Kataoka as a young kamikaze pilot. His relationship with Bale across the prison camp’s barbwire fence shows a glimpse into humanity and the breaking of barriers that happens when politics are removed. Theirs is a true bond amongst the carnage and a nice contrast to it. I also can’t finish speaking about the cast without mentioning a very young Ben Stiller—talk about an amusing surprise in a small role at the start of his career.

Empire of the Sun reminded me of what Spielberg is capable of doing at his best. Along with Saving Private Ryan, Schindler’s List, and Munich, amongst others, he can really tell an emotional story that lends itself well to the historical context of what’s happening in its environment. Yes, this is a story about the ruthlessness of the Japanese in China during WWII, but it’s also a tale of a boy’s survival by use of his kind heart, proper manners, and stunning smarts.

While knowing what to do in certain situations from living in China his entire life, Jim is able to authentically help those around him by delivering advice as though part of a game in many instances. He speaks a mile a minute and makes friends with everyone without taking any breaks. The moment we find out why, when a doctor tells Jim to stop thinking for once and his emotions flow out uninhibited, is truly heartbreaking because that’s exactly how a child in this situation would react. Phenomenal job all around. I really hope Spielberg has a few more of these left in him twenty years later.