A Truly Funny Film, Better Than the Show

Rating: 7/10 (26 April 2011)

The staff of a Korean War field hospital use humor and hi-jinks to keep their sanity in the face of the horror of war.
The film opens with the theme "Suicide is Painless", which sets something of a somber tone. This, of course, is not the nature of the film. There is talk of suicide later on, but it never gets dark at all.
The film features a young Donald Sutherland as "Hawkeye" Pierce, young Rene Auberjonois as a minister, and a young Robert Duvall who already looks old. Burt Reynolds turned down the role of Trapper John.
I dare say I prefer the cast of this film to the cast of the television show. I know people love that show, but I never really cared for it. This film, on the other hand, comes across much better to me.
I say hooray for the Pabst Blue Ribbon and J&B product placement, and as the Last Supper reenactment with Hawkeye as Jesus. And then the reprise of "Suicide is Painless" (with a jovial singer)...
I liked the conversation about latent homosexuality, and how awkwardly it is presented. There is mention of what if you "found out" you were gay after years of being married. I find that interesting -- not that one knows it and eventually admits it, but has to "find out". Yet, I think that may be the case. Being so convinced in the 1950s that homosexuality was a sin and a choice, it may take a good deal of realization before the gayness is clear.