Every film about war, declared Francois Truffaut, ends up being pro-war. But The Narrow Road to the Deep North feels quite different from most war narratives, with a deeply layered central character and a heavy, morose tone of contemplation.
In his memoir, Michell mused on the magnetism of a silent yet sentient audience. As with any good pastor or patrician, Juan Salvador was such a good listener, patiently absorbing everything that was said to him, from observations about the weather to secrets of the heart.