Ang Lee (LIFE OF PI, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN) returns with what looks to be another powerful, cinematic endeavor with BILLY LYNN’S LONG HALFTIME WALK. Based on the novel of the same name, the story is told from the point of view of 19-year-old private Billy Lynn (Joe Alwyn) who, along with his fellow soldiers in Bravo Squad, becomes a hero after a harrowing Iraq battle and is brought home temporarily for a victory tour. Through flashbacks, culminating at the halftime show of the Thanksgiving Day football game, the film reveals what really happened to the squad – contrasting the realities of the war with America’s perceptions.
This particular film was shot specifically for 3D in an ultra-high 120 frame rate (versus the usual 24 frames per second). That explains the hyper-realistic look of it all, although it’s worth noting that there aren’t a lot of venues with dual-projectors that can display 120 FPS, so keep that in mind if you head out to see this flick later this year. That aside, Ang Lee looks like he’s going to deliver another raw and emotional story with BILLY LYNN’S, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see a few Oscar nominations headed his way.
BILLY LYNN’S LONG HALFTIME WALK opens in theaters on November 11, 2016.