Stone and Cruise at Their Best

Rating: 9/10 (18 March 2000)

Born on the Fourth of July chronicles the deep schisms that divided America during the late 60s and early 70s. The mechanism for conveying the story is the autobiography of Ron Kovic, high school athlete, combat Marine, and anti-war activist. His story is a tortuous one, from naive All American high school kid, to gung-ho Marine in the battlefields of Vietnam where he is severely wounded and crippled. It continues through the nightmare of filthy stateside veteran's hospitals and back into a much-changed America. An America being rent apart by the politics of Vietnam which Ron does not understand and from which he feels alienated.
Cruise's portrayal of Kovic is some of his best work. He goes from fresh-faced high school kid, to the tormented battle-weary veteran. Cruise makes this heavy, dramatic metamorphosis believable; it's a great performance.
This is a powerful movie, and one I highly recommend.