Different; See it once, see it twice...

Rating: Null/10 (22 December 2000)

I have seen this film a few more times and remarkably, it just gets better and better each time. I'll concur that it's arty, but so what? When I first saw TRL in the theatre, I was disappointed. I expected another Saving Private Ryan and didn't get it, for which I am now grateful. It's my opinion that TRL and SPR are masterpieces in their own rights and to compare them against each other is counterproductive and does little or nothing to encourage others in viewing them.
It doesn't have 'slam-bang' action from scene-to-scene, moment-to-moment; Neither did the actual battle campaign. If you need to see endless on-screen 'combat', you may want to pass on this one. If you want a film that says a lot with outstanding acting and insight into the minds of its characters, this is a very good start. Women might enjoy this film more than the others, not just because of the actors but by the philosophical merit of the script.
It's not really like "Saving Private Ryan" at all. It's more akin to "84 Charlie MoPic" than "Apocalypse Now". This is a different style of film than SPR, etc. Different director, different storyline, different setting (U.S. ARMY at Guadalcanal in '42, NOT Marines!). They were all outstanding filmatic interpretations of men engaged in the vicious, murderous business of War. As were other films such as "A Midnight Clear", "Catch-22" and "M*A*S*H*"(the 1970 film). Check 'em out.