Review: The Eagle

The Eagle (Kevin MacDonald) 

Last night I went to the European Premiere of The Eagle, directed by Glasgow-born documentarist turned feature filmmaker Kevin MacDonald (The Last King of Scotland, State of Play)

Where do I begin? This film actually angered me, and not in a good way.  

Set in 140AD, the film charts the (questionably) courageous quest of Marcus Aquila (Channing Tatum) to retrieve Rome's emblematic golden eagle  from the Scottish Highlands. The eagle, having been lost 20 years earlier by Marcus' father who commanded the ninth-legion, represents 'all that is Rome' and an opportunity for the protagonist to redeem his family's honour. Sound good? Well it wasn't. 

Conventional Hollywood films tend to have a distinct polarity between 'goodies' and 'baddies' - the old cowboys and indians dichotomy. It's a comfortable framework that of course lacks the complexity and sophistication of less mainstream films, but it generally works in its big budget, big audience, context. The Eagle attempts this polar dynamic, but it fails epically - certainly in a British context. Let me explain why. 

The Roman's of course speak with American accents. Producer, Duncan Kentworthy (the special guest at the event), introduced the film with a 'heads up' on the Americanization of Rome, stating that this was intended to reflect the invasive nature of contemporary America. C'mon, we're an intelligent audience who know fine well why there's a dominant American angle. Box office!. And that's ok, it's not the first time!

However, the problem is that the Roman's (Americans) aren't the 'bad guys' in this film. They're the ones we're suppose to be rooting for. This is made clear by the decision to make the northerners child-slaughtering Gaelic speakers - just to ensure audiences are sitting on the right side of the fence. The language barrier is a blatant technique used to remove audience empathy for the natives, and a shlock one at that. 

Well, I was rooting for my fellow barbarians. And this wasn't solely because it resonated with me on a national level, it's because the film fails to ignite any sympathy for the Romans; rapists, pillagers and colonizers. The only emotional subplot (and I'm hasten to call it that) is the honorary quest of a son to redeem the honor of his shamed father and a forced and under-developed camaraderie between master (Tatum) and slave (Jamie Bell). The story has no morality whatsoever; Eska (Bell) is essentially a traitor and Marcus (Tatum) is a Roman who lacks any real compassion. Tell me; who are the 'baddies' here? Yeah, it's confusing. 

Visually the film has an enjoyable grittiness. The camera work has a docu-feel  which is unsurprising given Macdonald's background. And the costumes are good I suppose. However, when reviewers start talking about editing, cinematography and costume, it's usually an indicator that the film has failed in crucial areas (characters, narrative, plot). This film failed in all three. 

If you're going to be conventional, be conventional. If you're going to be complex, be complex. This film is neither. A confused narrative with discreditable characters and overt US-ideology. The Eagle might fly with American mainstream audiences, but for me, and anyone who is even remotely cine-literate, it took an epic nose-dive. Not the type of film I want to see made by a Scottish director. 

I'd be VERY VERY interested to hear from American viewers. Please comment!


Filmdocta prescribes one star.