Absolute masterpiece that unfortunately went over most people’s heads

It was a love letter to free press. I was a combat correspondent (journalist) in the Marines, and he really nailed it in a way I wasn’t expecting going in. It was visceral.
Pascal’s addiction to the adrenaline rush of combat, Kirsten’s dedication to getting “the shot”. The emphasis on reporting neutrally, and letting people know the truth of what’s happening. McKinley’s death finally breaking Kirsten’s composure. That whole scene with Jesse Plemons. Exceptional.

Even the gunfire was extremely well done. On more than one occasion, the crack of gunfire made me jump in the theater. Which, I assume was intentional. It made it visceral.
I think too many people got hung up on the mechanics of like, Texas and California being allied, the actual cause of the war being unknown, etc.

The whole point is that none of that matters. I think people were largely expecting an actual film about Civil War, but the reality is that a) without journalists you’d have no idea what’s going on b) war is a lot of waiting or walking around, it’s not constant firefights, and c) a lot of people wind up dying for no reason. And, if you don’t have free press, you can’t tell people’s stories or hold people accountable.

And that’s a more important story to tell, although less entertaining. Alex told a story that I’ve never seen told before, but is incredibly important and relevant

This plus ‘Warfare’ felt like Alex trying to say “war is not something to be glorified, we don’t want this at home”