Review of Air America (1990) by Stuart K — 05 Aug 2013

Directed by Roger Spottiswoode, then hot off the success of Turner & Hooch (1989), he took on this adaptation of Christopher Robbins' 1979 book which focuses on a side of the Vietnam War that not many people know about.

It was originally to have been directed by Richard Rush (The Stunt Man (1980)), but there were numerous directors and actors attached before it ended up as it was. It's not bad, but it is a bit ramshackle in places, but there's fun to be had.

During the Vietnam War in 1969, pilot Billy Covington (Robert Downey, Jr.) is sent to Laos to help with the war effort there after the Vietnamese invade Laos. But, it's a top secret covert job done by the CIA, which no-one can know about.

Billy is employed as part of the Air America "civilian group" which sends supplies to civilians in Laos, he's working with pilot Gene Ryack (Mel Gibson), who knows all the tricks of the trade.

Meanwhile, Senator Davenport (Lane Smith) has come from Washington to investigate alleged drug trafficking rumours, while trying to appease Royal Laotian General Lu Soong (Burt Kwouk) who has an opium trade going on.

It's trying to be another M*A*S*H, and it was marketed as a knockabout buddy buddy comedy, but it's a lot darker than it makes out. But, Gibson and Downey make a good partnership on screen, but that's one of the few saving graces about this film.