Review of For the Boys (1991) by Roger G — 19 Jun 2011

Flashback story told like Dustin Hoffman did in "Little Big Man," where, in this case, an old women begins telling a story about her experience during WWII, which comes alive, when an escort comes to pick her up for an award ceremony.

James Caan performs much like Richard Gere in Chicago, in a surprising manner singing and dancing which is unusual for a Caan film. Bette Midler performs as she always does which seems to fit the era where the "greatest generation" amid a war, can be happy in what they do with confidence in themselves, their technology and the outcome of the war.

Particularly wanted to see this film for Bette's performance of "Stuff Like That There," put on the map by Kelly Clarkson's performance on "American Idol," season one. The story goes into the dozen years after the war and the relationship between Eddie Sparks (Caan) and Dixie Leonard (Midler) and their live TV series (see "I Love Lucy," but not as funny).

To keep their "USO" type tours going, they decide to go to the new war, Korea. The Korea experience is not quite what was expected and certainly nothing like their WWII experience. The harsh reality of war hits them hard with their first-hand experience of death and suffering which changes them and their relationship.

Throw in a little black-listed entertainers and writers problem as a twist which impacts their career to add drama, however really not needed. We're getting older and we enter the third war, Viet Nam, and their "here we come again" tour begins and I still do not to hear the song I wanted to hear in its entirety.

Viet Nam is harsh and Dixie sees the death of her son, a captain in the Army. This tour separates Eddie and Dixie beyond repair. Does she go to the ceremony knowing Eddie will be there? The film is a little corny but fits the overall theme.

It's worth watching.