The bones of the story of 'War Horse' is a love story. That's what makes it universal.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I knew the story of 'War Horse' very well. I had read the book even before I did the auditions. I'm a big fan of Michael Morpurgo.
War stories deal in death. War illuminates love, while love is the greatest expression of hope, without which any story rings untrue to life. And to deny hope in a story about such darkness is to create false art.
There is a lot that horses and art share in common. I have found that most horse people are art lovers, and vice versa.
'War Horse' was all flat caps and thick trousers.
The horses are all characters, all personalities. Some you get along with, some you don't, some might take a bit longer.
Then there's the story of ill-fated love. It's universal.
Horses are a mirror of who you are. They're emotionally dependent on you.
It's thrilling. There's birth and death and frustration and victory in raising horses. It's like a little microcosm of life is built into the short lives of these creatures.
There is nothing glamorous or romantic about war. It's mostly about random pointless death and misery.
What is compelling with 'War Horse' is the jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring craftsmanship in this movie.