Wowsers

I have just watched the film Empire of the Sun. Holy McMoly! I knew nothing about this film other than the fact that it was the first major film role for a 13 year old Christian Bale. Here, in the role of Jim, his performance is absolutely mesmerising.

The film is based on the novel by J G Ballard. He was actually born in Shanghai, China pre World War 2. During the time of the war the Japanese forces had taken over Shanghai as it was a significant port city. The Japanese had taken over the people and their city, except for a secluded area of for Westerners. These people were the wealthy western families who owned hotels and textile companies who had homes and gardens reconstructed from images of their homes in Britain. This area was like a safe city within a war torn city, so close, yet a world apart from the rest of Shanghai just beyond the barbed wire fences. The film and the central character Jim, are based on Ballard's true story and his own experiences during the war that he survived alone.

At that time Shanghai was referred to as the Paris of the East. The westerners had made it their own, there were American cars, magazines and products like coca cola. So many of the cities central buildings were built to replicate those from back home. Apparently at the start of the 40's Shanghai had over 400 nightclubs. What is mental about this is that since the war the city has hardly changed. It hasn't been modernised. Shanghai has a skyline like nowhere else in China, so essentially it was perfect for filming.

The story is one of isolation, identity, friendship, terrible hardship and the journey of a young privileged child into a young man who has seen more than any person, whatever the age, should have had to witness.

The film is just epic. Steven Spielberg as the director has created such a diverse film from the scenes in the wealthy manor houses and hotels, to the war torn streets and the prisoner of war camps.

The cast is also fantastic with actors such as the brilliant John Malkovich and Joe Pantoliano, Miranda Ricardson, Leslie Phillips, Nigel Havers, Paul McGann and a cheeky little appearance from a young and meaner looking Ben Stiller.

Basically if you haven't seen this film, do so immediately.