Film Studies Response #4

Rating: 8/10 (12 December 2013)

Before Mike, Steve, and Nick left for Vietnam, Mike makes a promise to Nick. That promise was that Mike wouldn't ever leave Nick in Vietnam. Even though the three are separated, they eventually find each other and are held captive. Mike, Nick, and Steve are all forced to play Russian Roulette for their lives. After Mike tricks the vietnamese soldiers to put 3 bullets in the gun, Nick and him overtake the prisoner camp. The three are picked up by a helicopter, but Steve is too weak to hold on and falls back into the water. Mike jumps in after him, and Nick is separated from them and is sent to a hospital. Steve brutally injures his legs from the fall, and Mike carries him to Safety. Mike and Steve are sent home and Nick is stranded in South Vietnam. When Mike gets back to Pennsylvania, it is apparent that he is suffering from PTSD. After a few days, he hunts down Steve who has been at a hospital because his legs were amputated. Mike finds out that Nick is sending Steve money from Vietnam, and remembers his promise. He goes back to try and find his best friend. He finally finds Nick at a bar type place where Russian Roulette is played for money. Nick has been drugged up and doesn't remember Mike. Mike is forced to play Nick in Russian Roulette. Unfortunately, Nick ends up killing himself in the game. Even though it wasn't a happy ending, Mike keeps his promise that he made to Nick.