Explores a Different Side of War

Rating: Null/10 (20 March 2004)

Almost every war movie is about how men act in the heat of battle. This movie is about the lasting effect of war on men's minds once they are home and supposedly "safe". Most reviewers complain that the wedding scene is far too long. It's my favorite part of the movie because it shows the social and cultural bonds of the community. It calls to mind one of the best WWII movies, "The Best Years of Their Lives" which dealt not with battle but with servicemen coping with a return to civilian life.
My problem with the movie is the jump from the wedding to action in Vietnam. Deniro is on his own, wounded in a village. A chopper drops off his two buddies (just these two men) and takes off. They apparently haven't seen each other in a while and are quickly captured without a fight or any fire support. There's a huge gap in the action like some scenes were cut out.