vietnam movie w/o vietnam

Rating: Null/10 (11 June 2003)

Mild spoilers...maybe... This was probably the most interesting and different movie that I've rented this entire year. It had a very "Indie flick" appeal to it, and I really found myself enjoying the gritty, jerky filming (reminds me of THE SHIELD). Considering that the only actor I'd ever seen before when I first watched this movie was Cole Hauser (did very well with his short role, loved his lecture in the dark about Bozz's cigarette, definately one to look out for) and the Spanish guy that was in TRAFFIC ("I'm a butcher." "You haven't killed anyone, yet." "No, really, I'm a butcher. I cut meat."), I was definately impressed by all the gret acting. Now that Colin Farrell's making it big, I'm sure plenty of people are seeing him on the cover and renting this movie, and they won't be disappointed. It's about Basic-Training, starts out kinda like FULL METAL JACKET, and introduces a lot of very well-developed characters and morality and the general feeling of rebellion and/or duty of the era. And since I saw this with my 75 year old grandmother, the butt-shots would've embarrassed me if I hadn't looked over at her and seen her smiling. This is what you should see if you want to see a Vietnam movie without the inconvenient blood and guts of the actual war (kind of a disappointment; I like the blood and guts.) Rent it. You'll like it. I promise.