Review of Buffalo Soldiers (2002) by Trinity A — 20 May 2010

Its 1989,just before the fall of the Berlin Wall,and the world is about to change.But in a U.S. army base in West-Berlin,things are very much the same,and the G.I.'s stationed there are bored out of their sculls.Enter Ray Elwood(Joaquin Phoenix),a specialist in 317. supply battalion,who's about to spice things up. Dealing heroin to his fellow G.I's and trading stolen supplies to the locals,his black-market business soon starts blooming.

The well-meaning,but inept base-commander Colonel Berman(Ed Harris)has no idea what's transpiring in his army base,and nothing is really done,until Sergeant Lee( Scott Glenn),arrives. He is a stern and highly disciplined man, who's intent on cleaning up the place. For Ray this means that he has to use all his charm and wit, to juggle jealous wives, a budding romance with the sergeants daughter(Anna Paquin),and a crazy Turkish drug-dealer. All the while trying to to unload a large, and unexpected, shipment of weapons(rocket-launchers among other things).Murder and mayhem ensues.

Buffalo Soldiers is among other things a critical look on how an occupational force functions in peacetime.But it is most of all a very enjoyable black comedy, that centers around the cat and mouse game between Ray and sergeant Lee.Directed and partly written by Gregor Jordan,the movie is dynamic,and somehow manages to combine hilarity with excitement and some dark themes.

The acting is great with Joaquin Phoenix making Ray a somewhat sympathetic person,despite him selling drugs and having affairs with different women.And its just in tune with the movie's tone and content then, that Scott Glenn's sergeant Lee becomes the movie's villain. Glenn is superb in his role by the way. Setting up sergeant Lee as both well-intentioned,and rigid,with a real temper.

Above all this is a wickedly funny movie. Treat yourself to it,and I promise you will enjoy yourself.