Released exclusively on Netflix, War Machine is probably their most ambitious project to date. Director David Michôd has adapted a book by Michael Hastings telling the story of General Glenn McMahon who is sent to command the American troops in Afghanistan.
There are some deft observations on the pointlessness of the American mission and some nice performances in the supporting roles from the likes of Topher Grace, Alan Ruck, a funny Ben Kingsley, and especially Meg Tilly as Glenn’s wife. However, the film veers from quirky comedy to serious drama rather uncomfortably at times.
Also, Pitt proves once again that he can be a great dramatic actor and a good comic actor when he plays things fairly straight, but when he is allowed to introduce ticks and mannerisms in an attempt to be wacky, he can be quite bad. The performance is not 12 Monkeys awful, but he fails to carry the film.
Rating: 5.5 out of 10