Review of Salvador (1986) by Willem W — 29 Nov 2007

Any film that can make me like James Woods is alright. Oliver Stone's look at South American politics, sorry, scatch that, his look at American influence in South American politics is a pretty shattering indictment of the attrocities that have been committed in El Salvador all for American interests.

Woods is in top form here, as is James Belushi. Stone occasionally falls into sheer melodrama, especially with his portayl of 'ugly' Americans. But you can't blame him for resorting to stereotypes when he has so much to say and only two hours to say it in.

This was the beginnings of Stone's very visceral visual style. A man of big themes and big ideas who, though he does fall into speech-ifyin' on occasion is very much in control of cinematic language.