For Film Studies

Rating: 10/10 (13 December 2016)

The symbolism of Russian roulette within the film is that the Vietnam war itself was a huge game of Russian roulette. Going to the war was like putting a semi-loaded revolver to your temple- maybe you'll pull the trigger and be fine. But maybe you'll come out dead, wounded, or severely mentally scarred.
The three men's personalities define their wartime actions. Mike was the strong, trusted leader back in Pennsylvania. As such, in Vietnam it was his responsibility to keep the other soldiers such as Nick and Steve safe. Nicks personality was mysterious, and he didn't seem to care too much about anything. This comes back in Vietnam when he decides to go completely AWOL in Saigon. Steve is, from the start, a weak and dependent figure. The movie drives this across with things such as his mother ordering him around and his wife being pregnant with someone else's child. In Vietnam, he is the one who needs Nick and Steve to literally hold him up and help him along. It could have only gone differently with Nick, who's character is much more mysterious than the other two.
The French character represents how Americans viewed the French in light of the war. After encouraging America to join the fight, they left it alone completely. In the same theme, the Frenchman coerces Nicky into the gambling Russian roulette ring but later when Mike comes he takes no responsibility and is no longer with him.
Mike goes back to Vietnam to find Nick for three major reasons. One, Nick is his best friend. Two, Mike can't be around Meryl Streep without being reminded of Nick. The third most prominent reason is that in the beginning of the film, Nick makes Mike promise to bring all three of them back to Pennsylvania, even if it's in a casket.