Review of Dead Presidents (1995) by Phil K — 20 Feb 2010

Depressingly bleak but well done film about the plight of lower class vets trying to reaclimate themselves to "normal life." Keith David, Lorenz Tate, and Bokeem Woodbine all turn in solid performances with interesting characters, but Chris Tucker is the pleasant surprise here.

Despite not really changing up from his normal role as the smack-talking self-important "pimp", he seems to add a tone of humanity and frailty to the character that is really effective. I don't know how much of that is the writing of the script and how much of it was Tucker himself, but whoever is responsible for it deserves kudos.

I also like how the Nam vets coming home are actually the second generation of vets not being able to assimilate back into society, as David's character is actually a Korean War vet that ended up a criminal amputee.