An Unfortunate stumble for the master of cool

Rating: 5/10 (28 February 2010)

I start almost every Clint Eastwood film review by saying the same thing...I am convinced I am the world's biggest Clint Eastwood fan. The man is the master of macho and can make the Sahara desert look cool. Unfortunately he isn't perfect and despite directing and starring in this outing doesn't save it from being average at best and just plain bad at its worst. Heartbreak Ridge advertises itself like a war movie but in fact is 90% tough as nails 'teacher' takes a band of unruly 'students' and turns them around and 10% action on an island somewhere. Eastwood growls and grumbles his way through the movie as awkward young marines try to test him. The problem is that the young crew really don't fit into the story. They look like they belong in Dangerous Minds (similar story but very different setting) rather than the Marines. A half hearted attempt to put romance to the film has Eastwood trying to get back together with his ex-wife. Unfortunately the chemistry between everyone in the film is little to none making this barely passable as entertainment. Certainly most of the entertainment comes in the last half hour as team finally mobilizes and goes to war on the island of Grenada.
In case I haven't mentioned it twenty times Clint Eastwood directs and stars in the film. There isn't anything wrong with his character, in fact he has quite a bit of depth but he's also not incredibly likable rubbing everyone the wrong way from his ex-wife to his higher ups. It just isn't one of his best roles and far from his strongest. Mario Van Peebles is one of the oddest inclusions in this film. While he has a fun character in "Stitch", the character makes little sense being in this film. However, Van Peebles and Eastwood actually have some bizarre chemistry that works. Marsha Mason plays Eastwood's estranged ex-wife and unfortunately for her (multi-Oscar nominated actress) her character is barely existent. She is vapid and forced into the story to have some romance and soften Eastwood's character. Arlen Dean Snyder is Eastwood's friend and partner. You certainly get a sense of history between Eastwood and Snyder but they don't explore it any. Snyder is some sort of weak comedy relief. Boyd Gaines is the cocky strong arming Lieutenant that fights Eastwood at every turn and is destined to get shown up in the end.
The biggest problem with Heartbreak Ridge is simply that it drags. You expect them to go to battle but it seems like they will never make it. There is also never a pinnacle turning point when Eastwood breaks through to his team and makes them respect him. Instead it just seems he beats them into submission and suddenly they will follow him anywhere. Writer James Carabatsos is a former Vietnam vet but clearly that doesn't necessarily translate to a good film even with a powerhouse director and star. I'm still surprised Eastwood would choose to direct this given the script and plot is just simply not good. It tries to carry itself as dark comedy and a war movie but it never lands in either campy. Overall as much as I love Clint Eastwood I would never choose to sit through Heartbreak Ridge. Every direction it goes with the exception of the last half hour in battle just isn't fun to watch and will leave you wondering when it will all be over. 5/10