Is it genius?

Rating: 9/10 (21 September 2000)

What can you say about a film about which everything has already been said? Is it genius? Is it a masterpiece? Is it the definitive vision of the hell that was Vietnam?
Yes...and no.
Intrigued? This film is certainly horrific. The descent of a man, or men, into the chasm of insanity and inhumanity is certainly fine film fodder, and is handled extremely well by Coppola. The only major director I can think of who could have handled this as well is Stanley Kubrick, who in fact made another fine war pic, "Full Metal Jacket." It's a great subject...but not necessarily an EXCITING subject. Don't get me wrong, the movie has a lot of relevant statements to make and makes them extremely well. The conclusions drawn are haunting and logical in a twisted way; you know Kurtz is right, even though you don't want to believe it.
But...
You really have to let yourself get drawn in by the narrative. This is a long, extended commentary on the black corners of the human heart. Nothing is necessarily resolved; things just happen to the main characters, they react, and the audience forms their conclusions. In any other film, this "hands-off" approach might be viewed as laziness. But Coppola weaves the story in such a way as to mesmerize you...provided you're in the right mood for it. It is that fact that leads me to state this film is not really for everyone...which in my mind hinders it from being a true masterpiece. ...what was the question again?