Review of Born on the Fourth of July (1989) by Nick P — 14 Mar 2011
Cruise's best performance and Stone's best movie. The director actually fought in the war, the actor spent a lot of time with the actual Ron Kovic in preparation for the role. Stone originally wanted to do this in the 70s and use Pacino, thank God he didn't, probably would've been thrown in with all the other Vietnam films of the era. Instead it came in the overindulgent 80s when the country needed it, all the Top Gun heads who showed up caught a rude awakening.
Cast is flawless, love Dafoe as a fellow wheelchaired vet he meets in Mexico, and Levine (Styles from Teen Wolf!) as his childhood friend who chooses a different path. Powerful stuff, particularly for anyone who's been let down by the hollow American Dream.
This review of Born on the Fourth of July (1989) was written by Nick P on 14 Mar 2011.
Born on the Fourth of July has generally received positive reviews.
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