Review of Born on the Fourth of July (1989) by Marianina S — 24 Aug 2010

A well made and powerful movie, but it isn't perfect. I can't help but feel like the film lacks focus. It basically seems to show how war ruins lives, and examines all the terrible things this man went through, but the things he gained from his experiences are only glanced upon in the very end.

I also found the movie to be a bit long. I hit a wall around the time he went to mexico. Tom Cruise is fantastic, and yet again proves that he is a good actor. And it's weird to see that Oliver Stone was once a good director, as he hasn't really done anything worthwhile in the last decade or so.

A good representation of the tumultuous 60s and 70s, and how war can destroy those who aren't killed.