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After seeing Eastwood's Million Dollar Baby, I was expecting great things. Flags, however, is a disappointment. Although it looks beautiful (although no Oscar nomination for cinematography) and contains a couple of good performances, the flaws are too great. Although I'm happy to concede that Eastwood wants to go for the realism of war I found it very difficult to follow who was who in the battle sequences and some of the story-detail became confused which lessened the emotional punch. Perhaps it's just because I'm stupid, but I don't usually have trouble following narratives. This, honestly, just felt confused, which is a shame as I liked the way it was edited.

It's by no means terrible however. There is a memorable performance by Adam Beach as Ira, who has to endure ignorance and prejudice during and after the conflict and the demands this, and the conflict itself, leave on the character are well portrayed. And Barry Pepper, who produced a stunner in The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (A-), is on good form again here, though he is underused. I have a feeling that bigger things await Pepper. And Ryan Phillippe is as dependable as always. The film's message(s) are also compelling, though don't hit home quite as powerfully as they might because the confusion surrounding character and plot development sends the film off-kilter. I wouldn't say avoid, but I wouldn't recommend it either, which is a shame as the film promised more than it could ultimately deliver.