Review of Good Morning, Vietnam (1987) by Shane S — 13 Dec 2017

Every once and a while there's a role that was made for a certain actor. This was, in my mind, Robin William's perfect fit. I am sure the movie would have been fine with some other actor, but this movie is defined by William's marvelous performance.

This is a war dramedy, exploring some of the hardest moments humanity can create through the lens of comedy. This is a terribly difficult subject matter to navigate well in this medium. Robin William's manic, almost childlike, energy is the perfect fit for this movie. It is a showcase of a man who can face darkness with hope, energy and joy. I have the benefit, or burden perhaps, or writing this review after Mr. William's tragic death. It's so ominous how this movie was the man. A flash of when the medium of entertainment goes beyond its purpose. You can see it in every scene, a veneer of relentless positive energy as the world around them goes to hell. Good Morning Vietnam provides a wonderful excursion into the history of this war, with a rich emotional payoff in the end. The movie is really just a canvass for Robin William's to explore, and he takes advantage of every inch.