Overlong comedy/drama war action with Eastwood as a tough marine...

Rating: Null/10 (2 August 2003)

HEARTBREAK RIDGE isn't one of Clint's best movies. The story is too disorganized and goes on for a length beyond the limits of its thin material--but fans of Eastwood will get their money's worth. Even without a role that has him in the saddle, he's the toughest, gutsiest hombre who ever took some recruits and got them ready for battle. And the script gives him plenty of one-liners which he delivers with that confident "Dirty Harry" style whether he's addressing his men or his superiors. My favorite line: "With all due respect sir, you're beginning to bore the hell out of me!"
Everett McGill is the marine Major who gets the short end of the stick from Clint. Marsha Mason has a totally irrelevant role as the romantic interest, Clint's ex-wife. They battle endlessly and hers is a role that could have been eliminated without doing any harm to the storyline. Mario Van Peebles has fun with his role as a cocky, guitar-strumming singing marine. Eileen Heckart and Bo Svenson are wasted in thankless roles.
Summing up: much ado about nothing--but Clint is fascinating with his one-liners.