I won't say 'excellent', more a sad indictment of the Vietnam War

Rating: 7/10 (25 May 2019)

Oliver Stone directed film about the interesting life of Vietnam War veteran Ron Kovic.
I say interesting, Kovic (excellently portrayed by Tom Cruise) becomes a confident, athletic, top of the PE class student to a crippled, wheelchair bound anti-war protester in a few years haunted by his own experiences in the U.S. war that became a noose around the country's neck, the Vietnam War.
Director Stone seems to have cornered the Vietnam War film market, he is a veteran himself so deserves the accolade.
Kovic becomes wounded, nearly dying in action for the Marines. Back home he along with other wounded in action troops are treat awfully in rehabilitation hospitals and a medic slips about cutbacks. The conditions are awful.
Kovic goes home to his bible bashing parents but soon spirals into a life of drink and paralised sexual experiences in Mexico.
Still retaining some pride at his and his country's 'sacrifice' in action despite the growing anti-war resentment he faces by hippy protesters and alike.
The last straw is being physically removed from the 1972 Republican 'Dick' Nixon convention. He is redeemed by being made a welcome addition to the '76 Democratic convention.
The staunchly proud of his nation and its military intervention in the Vietnam War now being staunchly opposed to it.
His own experiences through the film showing why his ideals may have changed so much.
At times harrowing, but nevertheless an engaging 145 minute or so experience.
Stone, like his earlier Vietnam War film, Platoon has brought an excellent film to the public.
As a sidenote. The first Tom Cruise film I have seen in his career up to 1989 (I have yet to review Rain Man) that shows his acting abilities to the full. Also, a Spielberg like musical score from John Williams.