Salvador – Review

Opening credits pulsate and blast tense music in your face, setting the stage for revolutionary times in Central America in this based on a true story film. It is 1980. In the wake of the Nicaraguan revolution, chaos descends on tiny El Salvador, bringing fierce gun battles between demonstrators and the government. In two months, over 3,000 people disappeared.

Meanwhile, in America, photographer Richard Boyle (Woods) has hit hard times. He has no money, and not much of a career anymore after derailing it with booze. He feels like El Salvador is about to blow up into a situation worth covering and looks to old connections to fund a trip there. He just needs to make a few hundred bucks to be on his way.

Hitting up an old friend, Dr. Rock (Belushi), a former DJ also struggling to get by, he finds a path to the south. Too bad while speeding on the way to see him, the cops note that Boyle’s license is revoked, he has no registration or insurance, holds 4 unpaid speeding tickets, 43 unpaid parking tickets, and even his press pass is out of date. Sheesh.

As Dr. Rock drops additional cash to spring him from the clank, Richard is on his last legs. Now his Mustang is impounded and even more dollars are needed to get his wheels. Dr. Rock is out of funding too now, and doesn’t have a place to stay. Boyle’s wife takes off back to her parent’s place in Italy, along with their son. Not a good start! Maybe the men will both go to South America…

As Boyle and Rock find their way to the dangerous grounds of El Salvador’s own revolution, their lives will be forever changed. Journalists are not welcomed, and force rules the land. Protestors clash with armed soldiers, and bodies litter the landscape. Will Boyle get pictures he needs to revitalize his career, and can his old connection with Colonel Julio Figueroa (Luke) help keep him alive?

Salvador is an unflinching look at oppressive governments and deadly revolution. While Boyle and Rock have some goofy personalities, there is nothing funny about the film’s subject matter. They play their parts well, as do all the actors involved. The script runs a bit long, but covers plenty of ground. The director is attentive to the story’s needs, and is deliberate with the camera’s shots. The film balances pleasing countryside cinematography with the ugly background of war and bodily harm. This was an important moment in Central America’s history, and the movie does a decent job of bringing it to life.