Benediction
Donna Copeland
Benediction is not your usual war story. It starts out in London in 1914 with a poem about war written by Siegfried Sassoon (played by Jack Lowden as the younger and Peter Capaldi as the older), the protagonist whose life is chronicled beginning with his years as a young man when he and his brother are going off to WWI. We see him three years later after his brother was killed, and he has become at the same time a decorated British soldier and an anti-war activist, based on his “Soldier’s Declaration.” He is refusing to return to the battlefield on the basis that the conditions for peace have not been stipulated by the government and the powers that be are guilty of “political errors and insincerities.”
He is fortunate (or unfortunate, depending on your point of view) in that a mentor with influence, Robbie Ross (Simon Russell Beale), sees that he is referred to a hospital for traumatized soldiers in lieu of being court-martialed. He is outraged by this “help” because he had wanted to publicize his protest. Nevertheless, he concedes and uses his time in a military hospital to develop more insight into himself with the help of therapist Dr. Rivers (well characterized by the script and performed by Ben Daniels).
Writer/Director Terence Davies has created a moving and interesting work on the life of the poet Siegfried Sassoon, although he has chosen not to adhere strictly to historical accuracy.
The plot in Benediction takes a turn after Sassoon is discharged from the army and focuses on his life thereafter when he has acknowledged his attraction to men and becomes involved in ambivalent relationships with a number of them when, after a particularly painful period, he decides to marry a woman, Hester Gatty (Gemma Jones).
Writer/Director Terence Davies has created a moving and interesting work on the life of the poet Siegfried Sassoon, although he has chosen not to adhere strictly to historical accuracy. Presumably, his interest was more in the direction of illustrating the lives of homosexual men during that period of time, not only in the military but in everyday social life as well. And perhaps just as much to validate anti-war sentiments. His depiction captures the passion against war and the advocacy for freedom of identity, which could be seen as related causes.
Jack Lowden seems perfectly cast in the starring role, showing the interiority of the main character with subtle charm on the outside and depth of feeling on the inside, most particularly captured in the last scene. Peter Capaldi, as the older Sassoon with obvious bitterness and closed-off emotions, is aptly personified. Benediction‘s cast members are well chosen and help to give us a poignant impression of the people in Sassoon’s life.
Final Thought
An unusual war story that depicts international struggles mirroring internal conflicts.