Hilariously, this is not a political film.

Coming from a background in photography and art, I appreciated the cinematography a lot. It felt like they looked right at me and said these shots are for you. Additionally, I was proud of Jessie becoming a photojournalist as the film went on. She started as enthusiast but as the movie went on you could see her learning and becoming more hardened. I also appreciated that she was shooing on film. So many moments in the film I could feel myself seeing the "right shot" and while Jessie missed some of them, she also got them too, especially at the end where she becomes actualized.

As someone with an education in psychology, I also really appreciated the film's portrayal of the artist. Both in Lee and Jessie. One dying as one, and the other becoming one. The changes in both of their mindsets and reactions to the events they encounter were interesting and I loved that there were small moments where the two of them got to reflect and contrast each other.

As a fellow viewer, I don't think this isn't for the lighthearted. I watched this not knowing anything about the film and walked out really impressed but also knowing that many people were not going to like this movie. Most of my friends were less enthusiastic about the film. Unfortunately the film was marketed to be more political, violent, and action adventure-y. It's not. It's gory, dramatic, and introspective. I warn people that this film is about war journalism and being an artist. The people behind me may have appreciated a warning like that because they were mostly bored throughout the film and gave the movie a lower score than I - and I can't blame them. It was not an action movie. But for those who seek the stories of the human condition, this was a masterpiece.