What I got from the movie was a strong appreciation for the courage and skill of these guys in an impossible situation, a non-stop firefight. The movie lets you draw your own conclusion as to the failures of the politicians, but the implication is there and inescapable - the soldiers were left hanging by the higher ups in DC. We're seeing the movie tomorrow at 12:30 Pm. How would you rate the movie as far as tracking the book?
After reading the book, I am always a bit leary of the movie being not as complete, which of course, it rarely can be as complete. But from I have read on review, etc, those who read the book said the movie really tried to stick to the book and that the battle scenes were unlike any they had ever seen.
Perhaps this movie should be required viewing perhaps for any politician who does not think carefully about putting US military personnel in harm's way.
I haven't read the book but those who have rate the movie as faithful to it, which is the author's reported reaction as well. I can say the picture doesn't insult your intelligence - it just throws you into this chaotic situation and lets you sort it out, vividly sharing the disorientation of the troops onscreen. The depiction of the Somalis and the Mogadishu scene is unsentimental, non-pc and, from my admittedly uninformed perspective, felt very real.