Born on the Fourth of July (1989)

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Oliver Stone biopic about Ron Kovic (Tom Cruise), a decorated Vietnam veteran turned strident anti-war protester. Stone doesn't do subtlety, so the film can probably be summed up by reference to one shot: Kovic, wounded in the line of duty and paraplegic, protests the Vietnam War at the Republican National Convention, where a bloated, shiny-faced redneck (no veteran, this) calls him "unamerican".

It isn't fair to call Born on the Fourth of July "just" an anti-war film; Kovic's story is compelling, particularly the portrayal of his coming to terms with his paralysis and growing disillusionment with the cult of war.

Solid performances. Worth a look.

- Sam - 2013-04-29 00:28:52