Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk scores a high realism grade from an Iraq War Veteran despite its poor reviews. Directed by Ang Lee, Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk follows Joe Alwyn's eponymous soldier as he embarks on a victory tour following a major battle, with a narrative that aims to explore the differences between Lynn's combat experiences and Americans' perception of the conflict. The movie, which also stars Vin Diesel, Chris Tucker, and Steve Martin, earned mostly poor reviews from critics, with criticism levied at the movie's story and high frame rate (HFR) presentation.
In a recent video for Insider, Iraq War Veteran Jay Dorleus analyzes scenes from Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk, finding them to be surprisingly accurate. According to Dorleus, the film does an effective job of portraying the combat itself, but also the post-traumatic stress disorder that results from it. Dorleus praises the accuracy of the gun battles depicted in the film, highlighting the use of ammunition control and the portrayal of PTSD episodes.
Dorleus rates the film a nine out of 10, particularly commending the rooftop battle scene and the depiction of PTSD episodes. Despite its critical reception, the film's realistic portrayal of combat and PTSD has resonated with a veteran audience.
The release of Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk in 2016 followed the success of Ang Lee's previous film, The Life of Pi, which garnered multiple Oscar nominations and wins. However, Billy Lynn's Halftime Walk did not achieve the same level of acclaim, facing criticism for its narrative coherence and the divisive use of high frame rate (HFR) technology.
Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk, shot at 120 frames per second, deviates from the standard 24 frames per second in filmmaking. While HFR can enhance realism, some viewers find it distracting, impacting emotional engagement in dramatic moments. The film's box office performance was lackluster, failing to recoup its production budget.
Despite its shortcomings, Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk stands out for its authentic portrayal of combat experiences and PTSD, resonating with veterans like Dorleus. Ang Lee's direction, coupled with strong performances, elevates the film's depiction of the Iraq War and its aftermath, even amidst critical and commercial challenges.
