Really good and really, really, really long...

Rating: 9/10 (4 September 2001)

Really long movie just got longer! I must have checked my watch in disbelief about 15 times. And it's not like I hadn't seen the original several times. I remember saying at one point, "I think it's getting close to wrapping up," and seeing that it had only been one hour and seven minutes (out of three hours and fifteen minutes). And now I unleash this really long review upon you. Happy mulling.
Nevertheless, would you believe that I loved it, too? I was blown away! "Apocalypse Now" is one of my favorite movies and it is now even more so.
True, it's not the most uplifting of movies. But, obviously, it's not supposed to be.
And, while most of the ideas bandied about are very interesting and compelling, the truth is that the message of the movie is pretty unclear. Sure, we're all programmed to assume that wanton violence is meant to remind us that war is hell and inane military leaders are used to remind us that absolute power corrupts absolutely and that ANY Vietnam movie is meant to remind us that, while war is bad, Vietnam was REALLY bad. But what does "Apocalypse Now" really mean?
One of the interesting aspects of the film is how appealing each of the main characters is and (as they dominate the screen) how sensible their ideologies sound:
WILLARD-"Bent" but likeable, (even more so in REDUX). Pretty much a cypher, though. Most everything is "done unto" him (even his hand is forced in the climactic killing of Kurtz) but still a compelling "Ishmael" to guide us on our Odyssey.
IDEOLOGY- This war is bulls***. We shouldn't be here. Though billed by the government and the press as such, this war is not sane or decent. It is hell! The charges against Kurtz are bogus. Kurtz's actions are inevitable in an environment so insane. Nevertheless, if my orders are to kill him than that's what I'm gonna do. Plus I'll kill anyone that gets in my way of doing so (however innocent). Orders are orders.
CORMAN(The Lieutenant-General that commissions Willard's mission)- His monologue about the dark side sometimes winning out over what Lincoln called, "the better angels of our nature" is one of he film's best. He sounds sensible and sympathetic as he decrees that Kurtz must be terminated. His reservation is palpable. Even his homey directions regarding passing the food both ways to save time add to his multi-dimensional (however short) role.
IDEOLOGY-We are going to win this war and we are going to do it because God and our government require us to do the right thing even though it may require much sacrifice. While we must fight in this war, we must remain faithful to the guidelines of conduct established by the US Military and to the mores given us by God.
KILGORE-Psycho but absolutely charismatic. A complete idiot who was born for this conflict and laments the fact that "someday this war's gonna end". He loves his men and loves this war.
IDEOLOGY-I like to kill! I also like to surf! I love my good ol' American boys and I'm gonna watch over them and make sure that them damn gooks don't hurt 'em and if they do...God help 'em.
KURTZ-Beautiful and brilliant. His description of the Ohio river and the plantation that looked like "heaven had fallen on the earth in the form of gardenias" and his recounting of the VC reaction to the inoculation of their babies are enthralling. "I cried...I cried like some grandmother. I didn't know what I wanted to do. I wanted to tear my teeth out." I could listen to him muse forever. You can see why Hopper's character was so enamoured with him. And yet, there is no doubt, that Kurtz is absolutely insane. And not in a glorified, "so close to God he's crazy" way either. We're talking murderously psychotic.
IDEOLOGY: We can not win this war or any other unless we truly unleash our id (on command) and become primeval killing animals (just as the VC does). Our problem, then is not that we are fighting this war but that we're not doing it well enough.
NOTE: The restored love scene (complete with psychotic "Fantasy Island" music) with the French woman also carries this point home. "You are two people: a lover and a killer, a god and a beast." (paraphrase)
As is the case in any great movie, each of these parts is played as if the actors truly believe in their roles and in the ideologies that motivate their characters. The problem is that all these conflicting ideologies are directed as if Coppola truly believes them all to be true too. As you watch "Apocalypse Now", you can't help but utter that banal statement we've all caught ourselves saying, "Hm, this movie is important." But, at the same time, you have to ask yourself, "Now, what the hell does it mean?"
Of course, as will always be the case with the enigmatic, the question is: Is it truly ambiguous or am I just an idiot? And then, if it is ambiguous, is that a strength, weakness, or both?
I think (if possible) it is both.
I guess when you come right down to it "Apocalypse Now" is what Vietnam must have been: terrifying and confusing. In that respect it will always be one of the best and most indelible portrayals of this war.