Like a sports team that overspends on high priced free agent stars but falls short of a championship, “The Monuments Men” – a 2014 war picture written and directed by George Clooney – boasts enviable on screen names but a complete lack of chemistry and cohesion to succeed.
Clooney also stars, along with Matt Damon, John Goodman, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, and Bob Balaban. It’s a take on the real life Monuments Men, a group of misfits who attempt to retrieve, protect, and save European cultural objects and historical art pieces from destruction or theft at the hands of the Nazis.
Unlike other war films, “The Monuments Men” attempts to be humorous, with the occasional bit of realistic drama from such a terrible time included. But the humor just isn’t there – and you’re left watching a movie that includes Hitler, Nazi Germany, and WW2 but a complete lack of a serious situation.
The film does boast an honorable message. War movies usually focus on the human casualties of conflict. Here, we acknowledge this in passing, but the focus is set on the treasures of history. Lt. Frank Stokes (Clooney) gives a great speech early in the movie – advising the Monuments Men group that they are fighting for culture and our way of life. Battles can wipe out generations of people – but not their achievements or mark on history. “Who would make sure that the statue of David is still standing or the Mona Lisa is still smiling? Who will protect her?” Stokes asks.
It’s the type of movie you want to like. It’s close to the end of the war, and we see various Nazi officers stealing priceless works of art for Hitler – a theme that also propels the Steven Spielberg classic “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” It’s never taken too seriously like most WW2 stories are. The problem is its not exciting or funny. There are scenes and parts included as obvious jokes that fall with a lifeless whimper. I found myself losing interest pretty quickly.
With a weak direction, its up to the cast to pull out excellence. Names like Damon, Clooney, and Blanchett, and comical figures Murray and Goodman look great on paper, but it’s as if there are too many alpha dogs in the room. They don’t mesh well together, and it shows when watching the movie. And unlike other WW2 movies such as “Dunkirk,” you never get the impression you are steeped within the perils of the European theater.
“The mission is never designed to succeed.” Stokes says to his men. “If they were honest, they would tell us that.” He may have well been talking about the movie production itself.
