A Robin Williams Classic, With a Few Flaws

Rating: 7/10 (3 June 2019)

Many may criticize Williams' overbearing, abrasive, and often frenetic comedic style. But this movie has you covered in lt. Hauck. He acts as an amazing foil to Williams' character as well as serving as a vehicle for people turned off by Williams'. But even with Williams' comedy being very subjective, it fits the movie very well. The idea is that he is brightening Vietnam soldiers days with his radio show. In some cases his bright and optimistic demeanor is one of the only shining parts of the battlefield, the movie makes this very clear.
Williams' character has a very interesting arch albeit fairly predictable. Rather than having us follow from the view of Williams I often found myself following the side characters reactions. I found Hauck's complete distaste for Williams' humor contrasting everyone else's opinion quite funny. And the relationship between Williams and Garlick allows to see how Williams changes throughout the story.
There are a few issues that I have with this movie however. This movie gave me tonal whiplash. For the majority of the beginning I felt like it was going to be a lighthearted comedy with a little romance mixed in. Then when the bar exploded it took a much more serious tone and if it had continued for the rest of the movie it could have been better. But as it is, Williams struggles to deal with the incident for a while and it shows him in a terrible emotional state. Then it cuts to Hauck making terrible jokes on Williams radio show for comedic effect, regaining a more lighthearted tone again. It continues with Hauck until Williams is going to get show back. Williams declines which makes sense for his character. The brief argument scene between Garlick and Williams is well done as well as his live performance for the soldiers. (I would also like to add that the "What a Wonderful World" scene juxtaposed perfectly with the war scenes in the background. I though this was a good tone for the movie) I didn't like that Hauck and the Sergeant General came up with some dastardly plan to dispose of Williams as it came out of nowhere and didn't make much sense to me.
Overall Good Morning Vietnam is a decent movie I would give it a watch even if Williams' style of comedy isn't your favorite. It held my interest for the most part and ends in a satisfactory manner. Even though I spoiled quite a bit of this movie I hope you all enjoy it.