Journey Through Life: Reviewing 'Unbroken'

On November 16th of 2012, Laura Hillenbrand publishes her novel, Unbroken. The author bases her writing on the true story of Louis Zamperini’s life pertaining to his involvement in both the Olympics and World War Two. Louis, more commonly known as Louie, begins as a twelve year old, Italian boy who has difficulties fitting in. Progressively throughout the story, Louie builds his character, becoming a true icon in the eyes of the reader. Because the novel is such a success, Angelina Jolie releases her film direction of “Unbroken” on December 25th of 2014. Although the film is phenomenal, it does not do the novel justice in terms of showing the viewers the thoughts and emotions.

In summary, Unbroken is the inspiring journey through the defining

Throughout the story, the characters are often stuck in their own head, allowing us to put ourselves in their shoes with the given descriptive emotions and thoughts. Louie’s overpowering trait of determination glows in both the movie and book, “A lifetime of glory is worth a moment of pain” (Unbroken 34). The dignifying thought shows the readers and viewers that Louie is a fighter, he is willing to toughen up through the difficult times and refuses to give up due to undesirable circumstances. Louie builds his character by reaching out to the readers and viewers to inspire. In both the movie and book, Mac represents the darker side of emotions to the audience of Unbroken, “The men grew thinner. Phil was gradually regaining his strength after his initial state of concussed exhaustion; Mac’s body grew weaker, following his broken spirit” (Unbroken 149). Unlike Louie, Mac is full of weakness and hopelessness. Mac’s character appeals to a different side of emotions of the readers and viewers. Rather than inspiration and motivation, Mac brings out the sorrow. While the novel focuses on the events that make up Louie, the film solely directs attention to how war molds him. The section written of Louie’s childhood and Olympic career connect the readers to the character significantly. By pushing aside Louie’s life previous to war in the film, the viewers do not have the chance to make the same