An absolutely moving and incredible experience...the ultimate word on Vietnam vets

Rating: 10/10 (16 July 2008)

Oliver Stone is without a doubt one of my favorite directors. Yes he can be pretentious but he has this undeniable talent of bringing the message home and making you feel every minute of it. That being said, believe it or not, I don't think I've ever seen all of Platoon which is usually considered the ultimate 'Nam movie. It's definitely on my list of films to see and soon. However if Platoon is the ultimate 'Nam movie than Born On The Fourth of July could be considered the ultimate follow up to the world the Vietnam vets returned to. The film literally goes from before the battlefield, to the brutality of the battlefield and Vietnam situations to the aftermath facing all vets when they return and in particular one very patriotic and determined man who loses everything in Vietnam. The film is not only brilliantly written and directed thanks in big part to a very close personal and creative relationship with Ron Kovic (who's story this is) but an absolutely mind blowing performance by it's lead star. So many moments in this film will make you feel emotion and anger and patriotism in a way that few films have ever done and probably only Oliver Stone could do with such incredible gusto.
If you have ever wondered or doubted where Tom Cruise's Hollywood legend status came from just sit down and watch Born On The Fourth of July. He was absolutely robbed of an Academy Award playing this bold and moving and completely incredible performance as wounded veteran Ron Kovic. His character goes through such huge changes emotionally, physically and just in life. He starts as an eager High School graduate to a leader on the battlefield to this emotionally wrecked veteran to a man who speaks for his beliefs and Tom Cruise nails the role and you can just see the intense work and drive he put into this role. Definitely one of his best!! This film is truly all about Kovic and everyone else is a supporting cast member but it's a strong cast. Raymond J. Barry as his loving but devastated father, does a good job, Caroline Kava is really brilliant as Kovic's religiously fanatic mother, and Frank Whaley gives a moving performance as Kovic's boyhood friend who also returns from 'Nam mentally sick.
I believe right now, if I could political for just a moment that Vietnam films are very pertinent right now to our current war situations around the world. That being a very unpopular war but this is a really moving film about a man who believed in what he was doing and slowly became aware of what he was facing when he returns home. The film will bring you to tears it's just an incredible over the top emotional powerhouse of a film and it feels like Stone just lets Cruise do his thing and Cruise has this powerhouse performance that is just mind blowing. The direction on the battlefield is brilliant and disturbing and very gritty and the numerous scenes of protest are brilliantly done by Stone and his crew. I can't recommend this film enough for many reasons but if you want something moving then this will make you realize how powerful films can be. Oliver Stone is an amazing director and this film is a perfect example of what he can do with a cast and with a camera. See this classic war film now!! 10/10