Film critic Armond White, of the New York Press, praised the film noting that "each part of David's journey through carnal and sexual universes into the final eschatological devastation becomes as profoundly philosophical and contemplative as anything by cinema's most thoughtful, speculative artists – Borzage, Ozu, Demy, Tarkovsky".
Designer Stuart Nunn and lighting designer Giuseppe Di Iorio have spared no shock-and-awe impact in this elaborate set, with its combat vehicles, shiny Mercedes car, oil derricks and a final scene of devastation straight from any current war zone.
Then it escalates to a new plane in which man is taking on the biggest, most cruel and implacable government of all, and the final sequence of devastation must surely be influenced by the final moments of Tarkovsky's The Sacrifice.
With his masterly use of visual motifs — the train and the fog of the opening sequence reappear periodically with increasing significance — and slow, contemplative rhythms, he gives the comedy a lyrical dimension, building to a final sense of moral devastation.
The devastation of the final scene is that which only great simplicity can provide.
In the midst of the devastation of the final essay, about the death of your young daughter Isabel, there are some very moving descriptions of your older daughter Ella's imagination.
Hastings covers all the other main areas, including the enormous final naval battles and the devastation in China, as well as the wasteful diversion to the Philippines and the sidelining of gallant Australia, both the work of the ineffable MacArthur.
For many families, Mr. Feinberg's improvised courtroom is the final station in an unwanted journey from devastation to dollars.
Amid the devastation of Gaza, in the final days of this summer's war, were survivors of the 50-day military onslaught.
As a franchise that has been pockmarked by injury, the Nets had avoided surgical devastation in their run to the finals last season.
