Key Takeaways:
– Steven Spielberg’s ‘Saving Private Ryan’ was accused of being ‘too Hollywood’.
– Spielberg responded to critics by explaining his intention to create an authentic portrayal of war.
– Spielberg emphasized his aspiration to evade Hollywood clichés while making the film.
Steven Spielberg’s ‘Saving Private Ryan’: A Real or ‘Too Hollywood’ War Film?
‘Saving Private Ryan’, a Steven Spielberg masterpiece, has not only been acclaimed critically but also labelled as one of his finest works. Despite winning several Oscars, the film could not escape certain stinging criticisms.
Unraveling the Alleged ‘Hollywoodization’ of the War Cinematography
Spielberg’s remarkable film was accused of being ‘too Hollywood,’ an industry notorious for overdramatizing real-life events to captivate the audience. This criticism is famously associated with war films, often magnifying minor situations into extraordinary phenomena.
Addressing the Backlash against ‘Saving Private Ryan’
In an interview with DGA, Spielberg discussed the criticism ‘Saving Private Ryan’ received for allegedly being overly dramatic and Hollywood-oriented, rather than depicting a real-life event. Spielberg had an interesting perspective on this issue.
Before starting with the script, Spielberg had been fond of war movies. However, he was particular about not converting his movie into a typical Hollywood blockbuster. He aimed to display the harsh reality of war and bring audiences closer to the experiences of the characters, without concocting drama for the sake of it.
Spielberg’s Commitment to Authenticity
Spielberg was so engaged with this idea that he had to prevent himself from falling into the Hollywood trap. “I’ve always wanted to make a war movie, and I had a chance to make a realistic war movie, as opposed to an apocryphal Hollywood war movie. Actually, I was beating away the impulses to go Hollywood.”, said Spielberg.
Steven Spielberg’s Reaction to the Criticisms
Despite efforts to stay away from Hollywood shackles, Spielberg’s ‘Saving Private Ryan’ faced accusations of being embedded in American cultural tropes. Critics interpreted the film’s intentional diversity as a sign of Hollywood influence.
Responding to criticisms, Spielberg stated that he does not consider these comments seriously, given his extensive experience with World War II movies. The movie resembled several characters from Lewis Milestone’s ‘A Walk in the Sun’, but Spielberg dispelled these parallels flippantly.
Spielberg’s Assurance and Acceptance of Influence
The Director said, “That doesn’t bother me at all because you can’t have seen as many World War II movies as I’ve seen, and not have some of that rub off on Saving Private Ryan.” Spielberg had thoroughly researched by watching numerous war films, acknowledging the slight influence they had on his movie.
As of today, Spielberg’s ‘Saving Private Ryan’ remains a highly revered film and is available for viewing on Prime Video. This acclaimed piece, despite the controversial Hollywood accusations, has proven that storytelling can transcend boundaries and leave a lasting impression on its audience. Spielberg’s endeavours to dodge the Hollywood clichés and bring to screen the realness of war are what makes this movie a timeless masterpiece.
