Fearless

Movie Name: Fearless
Year of Release: 1993

Director: Peter Weir

Stars: Jeff Bridges, Isabella Rossellini, Rosie Perez, Tom Hulce, John Turturro, Benecio Del Toro, Deirdre O'Connell, Debra Monk, Cynthia Mace
Genre: Drama, Thriller

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 8

Synopsis:

Peter Weir's "Fearless" came out in 1993, after the success of his previous features, both "Dead Poets Society" and "Green Card". The film follows the story of Max Klein, a businessman who survives a terrifying plane crash, alongside a few other people. In the aftermath of the crash, Max responds to it by becoming convinced that he is godlike and invulnerable, and his behavior is increasingly distant from his old life and in particular from his wife. In contrast with Max's attitude, there's Carla Rodrigo's, who's consumed with guilt over the loss of her baby. These two people meet and through this relationship they both come to terms with that traumatic event.
Peter Weir is a unique director, one who always focuses his stories on heroes that even though are every day people, find themselves at odds with realities that simply won't abide to their unique way of seeing the world. "Fearless" is a fantastic film that focuses the attention on Max Klein, who finds himself in a unique situation, and whose life is completely changed in the aftermath of that traumatic event. The fabric of relationships that are woven in the film, showcase the director's ability to probe the depth of the dynamics between different characters, something that Peter Weir has always excelled at. The film benefits from the fantastic performances from Jeff Bridges and Rosie Perez, both of whom truly embody the inner turmoil of these characters (and Rosie Perez earned an Oscar nomination in the process). The beautiful cinematography from Allen Daviau also elevates the aesthetic of the film, and the score from Maurice Jarre is haunting. A beautiful film worth watching.