Review of Yanks (1979) by Jim H — 02 Apr 2013

Three American servicemen stationed in Britain carry on relationships with British women.

Essentially a melodrama, Yanks is unique only in its direction by John Schlesinger who follows his Sunday Bloody Sunday vein and focuses on a finely drawn character study. However, like Sunday Bloody Sunday too little happens and, unique to Yanks, the characters don't rise above stereotypes. One American is a womanizer, another a stern administrator, and the third a milquetoast romantic.

Lisa Eichhorn plays torn loyalties well, but the rest of the performances are not exceptionally noteworthy.

Overall, there isn't much to like about Yanks, a film that takes no risks with characters that have little charisma.