Film Studies Thing.

Rating: 10/10 (12 December 2010)

1. I thought that adding Russian Roulette to the plot was a good idea because it showed that no matter what soldiers who went to Vietnam did it was a losing game. If they stayed then they betray their country and if they left and came home then they'd be criticized for going. They could die or be captured in Vietnam. With Russian Roulette it's kind of the same thing, if you play it you may win but eventually you'll lose, and in losing you'll die.
2. Stevie, Mike and Nick are all very differently. Stevie, is mama's boy who is kind of portrayed as weak for marrying a women who is pregnant with another man's baby and just in general. Mike is the opposite, he is strong-willed and very by the book. Nick falls in the middle somewhere, he's sociable and probably the most uneasy about going to Vietnam as shown by his confession to Nick about not wanting to be left there. Their personalities really reflect how they'll turn out as soldiers. Especially with Stevie and Mike. I think their personalities outline perfectly their ability as soldiers. Nick's fate was a little more unexpected because I thought of him just as courageous as Mike, but a little more easy going. I think Nick easily could've been a hero in the film.
3. The French character in the film who introduces Mike to "Professional" Russian Roulette symbolized France during the war. At the start of the war France convinced us to go and as the war carried on they turned their backs on America, much like the French man in the film with Mike.
4. Mike goes back to find Nick because at the start of the film he promises to make sure Nick comes back, whether he dies or not. Mike and Nick get separated after they escape the camp. Mike goes back to America and realizes that he broke his promise. Mike is unable to function for the entire time while he's home and after he visits Stevie and is reminded of Nick he decides to go back and try to help him.