Breaking the Rules of Engagement

Rating: 6/10 (13 September 2009)

In 1968 Vietnam, young Samuel L. Jackson (as Terry Childers) saves young Marine buddy Tommy Lee Jones (as Hayes Hodges) from certain death by ordering the execution of a Viet Cong POW. They, and a witness (who'll appear later) age gracefully for 28 years; then, the film's main incident occurs - protesters, supported by sniper fire, attack the in United States embassy in Yemen. With Mr. Jackson in command, the crowd of rioters is slaughtered. To avoid a bloody political mess, National Security Adviser Bruce Greenwood (as Bill Sokal) decides to scapegoat Jackson.
Mr. Jones, who has become an ineffective military attorney, is asked to represent Jackson. Jones has also gone through a "messy divorce" and has a "drinking problem," but Jackson feels he needs a "warrior" in court. Jones goes up against prosecutor Guy Pearce (as Mark Biggs). Before the trial, Jackson also takes to drinking Anytime you have Jones and Jackson, directed by William Friedkin, you're starting off with something substantial. By the way, Mr. Greenwood hasn't been regarded as well, but should be; and, Mr. Pearce looks to be in their league.
Although "Rules of Engagement" is basically a good Jim Webb story, much of it is disappointing on film; put simply, it doesn't add up. The central incident starts off suggesting the protesters are rock-throwers; but, later, they are armed to the teeth. The drunken brawl between Jackson and Jones is downright dumb. The ending exchange between Jackson and Baoan Coleman (as Binh Le Cao) is a great moment; but, it isn't what the film was about.
****** Rules of Engagement (3/31/00) William Friedkin ~ Samuel L. Jackson, Tommy Lee Jones, Guy Pearce, Bruce Greenwood