Review of Born on the Fourth of July (1989) by David M — 01 Nov 2011

The Vietnam War was a double sided sword that left this country with a deep wound I still dont think we've recovered from. We were fighting a war that I think can generally be described as wrong, but in protesting the wrongness we turned the blame on people, instead of the ideas. People like Ron Kovic who had given so much, only to feel duped by their country, and then disgraced and ostracized by our people. It was a no win for those vets.

I felt like a lot of the critics of the Doors, another Oliver Stone film, felt about that film. That it was a near unpleasant experience watching a protagonist strain and drain your sympathy for the character. I'm not saying he is altogether dislikable, but he's an ass. He reserves the right to be one, for sure, but it tries on you.

Born on the 4th if July tells the true story of Ron Kovic, an earnest young man, full of pride for country, rushes off to 'Nam and comes back a paraplegic. How he deals with the handicap, the guilt, and the scorn is our story. And it's a heavy hitter, if a bit rinse and repeat.

I greatly admired Tom Cruises performance, with this and Rain Man being his first forays into dramatic material. He obviously took right to it. I was most impressed with the physicality of the performance, something about the way he moved while marching in the wheelchair and chanting, just evoked that era of man perfectly. It's not the tour de force it could be, but it is strong. Cruise was also Kovics first choice.

The happenings of the film feel a little repetitive. The pre war bit does a good job of establishing the character and home, but it hits the same key note of the family's devotion to success, faith, and patriotism too many times. And the post war part also lacks some variety. Kovic basically breaks down further, drinking, yelling, and fighting while the film hopes our sympathy for his situation keeps our interest afloat, and judgments at bay.

His first anti war demonstration is basically just a date with a former crush. I thought that was an interesting way for it to be introduced to him. And the balancing act of the desires of a paralyzed man, a war veterans sorrow, the loss of innocence, the trauma, and the search for purpose is executed rather well considering the amount of balls being juggled.

Kovic has something Morrison didn't, and that's why this movie was a critical success compared to the other. It's easier to understand a Vietnam vet coming back and having some societal woes, moreso than it is some artsy angst ridden rock star. Well give him leeway to make mistakes, when the transgressions are so obvious.

But I think what well all remember most is the litany of bad paste on mustaches and wigs on display.