Matialth
Good concept, poorly executed.
Comwayon
A Disappointing Continuation
Jonah Abbott
There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.
brown_blonde
I did not grow up in the Vietnam era, and instead, my education on the subject has been limited to the last week of history class when the teacher would throw in a couple of words about Vietnam, usually being content to proclaim that the war was an ugly loss that we should all just forget.I think that is a serious threat these days--people forget, and others like in my generation just don't have a clue, as to what went through these soldiers. This film does a fine job of relaying that. We feel the pain of Emmett who has had to suppress his feelings about Vietnam. We see how the wounds of war are not only skin deep and battlefield-limited: they are the scars that are carried within.Equally refreshing is the point-of-view of the unsung hero, the survivors. In this case the we see the war's impact on Sam, whose father died before she was born. 18 years after his death, in present day (1989), the audience is allowed to see the remaining impressions that a war leaves, and the difficulty of finding closure in a war that everyone wanted to forget.This is a film that ought to be seen because it depicts war from so many new points of view and in a way that is relatable to those of us who will never be able to comprehend the actual battlefield. See it, you won't regret it.
technicor
Saw this movie in a sociology class. Very poor, just relentlessly boring and melodramatic. The director should and could have had the girl's role more sexy, and included more details about the static characters. The flashbacks and the girl's search for identity were both so cheesy that the only people i could see getting a reaction out of are the people featured in the movie. Bruce Willis was pretty good considering the bad writing he had to deal with, but that goes without saying despite any of his roles. The girl ws not a very intersting dynamic character, and either needed to express her thoughts about what was going on around her or get naked to make her interesting. I will say that the country lifestyle was pretty realistically portrayed, but it was hard to believe that there were this many vets 20 years after the war still hopping up in trees from lighting because they thought the V.C was coming. Not worth watching; there are so many other movies in the Vietnam genre that were better that this movie just has no role.
dvdmrp
When I was in Best Buy, looking at the bargain DVD rack I came along this movie. I had never heard of it, but I was a fan of Bruce Willis and Ii thought that Norman Jewison was a good director. Plus it was only $9.99 so what did I have to lose. At first, my expectations were low..I mean how dramatic can Bruce Willis be? Thankfully, I was pleasently suprised. My money did not go to waste. Sure, Emily Lloyd's character had an annoying voice, but at least she wasn't that bad to look at. I was very impressed at Bruce's acting ability in this movie. He can actually do dramatic roles! And do a good job at them! Now, I will admit that in some spots the movie is slow, but it always holds your interest, and yes the ending is kinda sad. So, if you have 2 free hours go and check this out...You won't be dissapointed! 9/10
giraffelover
This is one of the most overlooked film of the 90s. Ok the original novel by Bobbie Ann Mason was better but the direction (the foreign view on the Vietnam war was an very interesting aspect for me to watch the film) of Norman Jewison was as well as the entire cast. Many critics have asked why the leading role wasn't played by Winona Ryder. Ok Winona Ryder may be a better actress and much more successful but Emily Lloyd is also a good actress and she did a very good work (the second best after Wish You Were Here). Bruce was never better than in this film. His apathetic and depressive Vietnam vet was very convincing.
