Jó reggelt, Vietnam! megbeszélése
Beszélgetés → Filmek → Jó reggelt, Vietnam! → Általános
A few thoughts
Beküldte: DRDMovieMusingsSTAFFMOD (2023. június 24. 11:01)
On good recommendation, I've finally sat down for a viewing of this movie, and I'm happy I did.
Film Classification
There are far too many movies classified as "comedy" that are not comedies at all. Sure, there may be elements of humor in them, but a few laughs does not a comedy make. This is a great example. Maybe it's just me, but I don't love Robin William's style of "funny" and I found it hard to believe that so many people were ROFL at his rapid-fire (attempts at) jokes. And when he tries to talk like what he thinks Black people sound like, I cringe....but I digress.
I love Robin Williams' pathos. He is a fine dramatic actor (see One Hour Photo, Insomnia, or Patch Adams, although most will refer to Dead Poets Society but I have not seen that so can't speak to it), and the character arc from happy-go-lucky goofball chasing down a skirt to a feeling human being was satisfying.
This movie is a drama with no real laugh-out-loud moments (for me, anyway, although there were a few cute scenes that did make me chuckle, most notably when Cronauer first meets the Stanton twins!).
Media
They did a good job of showing the use of media as a propaganda tool. We see "what's REALLY going on" and then we see behind the scenes as they grapple with how much of that to actually broadcast. Of course, the protagonist was also a tad naive and not fully informed such that there was tension, you know, merit "on both sides...both sides."
The incessant typing of official messages relaying official US gov't communiques from the president etc., was a deft stroke. The reporting people were reading in their Sunday papers in the comfort of their living rooms made it seem like everything was under control, routine, by the book, steady as she goes, while the reality, far away, was that any efforts to appear organized and in control was but a facade, a lie that would be tenaciously clung to for ten years before Saigon fell and the US scrambled to get out as the Northern Vietnamese forces completed their fight to oust their French oppressors and her allies.
They did a good job here of showing us that we ought to listen critically to any presentation of an official story, because it is highly likely that they're not telling us everything, and there's more to the story than meets the eye.
Pocahontas theme
From Dances with Wolves to The Last Samurai to Avatar to, well, Pocahontas, the concept of the white man going in among Indigenous cultures, learning, and having a change of heart to see that the real enemy are his people, is re-skinned once again, this time in the Vietnam War, and I mean, they literally wove "YOU'RE the enemy" right into the script.
That said, I am a person of colonized experience, and I always love to see indigenous people and their lives portrayed in a way that allows their simple beauty to shine through, especially in contrast to the mixed-up confusion that is that of the oppressors and her allies.
Madness
Juxtaposing a napalm strike against the Louis Armstrong song What A Wonderful World was cinematic genius. The character Lt. Steven Hauk was a splendid type - would anyone look at him and think "commanding officer of the US military"? A paper-pushing dork whining to be respected as he follows the rules with nary a conscious thought, hardly any real stake in the success or failure of the mission. American armed forces in this war went in with no appreciation for the sheer scope of the Vietnamese people's will to be free - they were willing to die for something, while Americans were playing war games and testing technology that would one day end up giving us civilians Velcro, waterproof boots, and cell phones. All the military power in the world - the tanks, the hueys (Bell UH-1), the loaches (Hughes OH-6 Cayuse) - and they lost to people running along jungle paths barefoot, setting booby traps like pits with sharpened bamboo sticks, but fighting with the moral high ground - freedom and dignity are human rights.
Most heartfelt scene
It's that scene when Garlick drives Cronauer to say something to the troops about to head out to Da Nang. I'm not the biggest fan of Robin Williams' comedic style but, in that scene, it dawned on me that his style was perfect for this audience. The first thing that struck me about this scene is how they captured that these "soldiers" were boys, years younger than my youngest child currently is. Most of them would not have travelled very far from where they lived until they enlisted (or were drafted) and were shipped off to Vietnam. There's all this newness, unknowingness, adrenaline, excitement, curiosity - it's hard to say "fear" because it's 1965 and the horrors and ravages of war in general and this war in particular were not yet real to these kids. At this point, "hardship" had been it's hot and humid and what kind of bug is that.
Anyway, Cronauer is looking at them, asking them their names, where they're from, humanizing them, individualizing them, and he says "I'll remember you." As the trucks start to roll out, they're cheering, as if they're on the bus to summer camp. And then the faces become an indistinguishable blur, a grim foreshadowing of the meat grinder that escalation is about to create. Truck after truck of faceless FNGs rolling out, so many of whom will come back broken, traumatized, or in body bags.
Wrap up
I gave this movie a 7/10.
rooprect válaszolt
Beküldve: 2023. június 24. 15:26
Excellent review DRD, you made me suddenly want to watch it again! (It's been years.) As we mentioned in the other thread, neither one of us is a huge fan of Williams' coked up comedic style, but I think it worked brilliantly in context here: a radio personality. I have a collection of old rock n roll radio broadcasts on vinyl (the Cruisin' 1955-1969 series, it pops up on ebay sometimes), and that's exactly how the DJs talked as they were introducing the oldies. They spoke in rapid fire puns, mostly groan worthy, and a merciless barrage of silly gags. Ridiculous but entertaining for sure. And I'm suddenly realizing that Robin Williams probably grew up listening to those exact broadcasts because that became his style. In other words, the choice to cast Robin Williams as a Vietnam wartime radio DJ was brilliant.
But what really did it for me were the moments of tense drama, because he really came through. The heartfelt scene you mentioned is at the front of the line. His initial reluctance (due to his loss of faith), slowly then explosively building back to full character, is magical to watch, especially because you know that he's just a salve for these young boys being sent to the worst hell imaginable. You know it, I know it, Williams knows it, but the boys don't. Williams excellently played the scene on both sides of the coin (comedy/tragedy) in a way I can't imagine anyone else ever doing.
Another scene with the same vibe, earlier in the film perhaps mirroring/foreshadowing the troops' farewell, is when he has just witnessed the bombing of the cafe and rushes to the studio to report it but is told no because it's not official. That first minute when he gets on the air trying vainly to slip into his devil-may-care schtick while he's losing his mind makes me think of the quintessential "tears of a clown". Again, who but a manic comedian/tragedian like Williams could've pulled it off?
I also agree that the Pocahontas theme was well handled, especially when the girl's brother gives Cronauer a piece of his mind. That boy was really the voice of reason in the movie, despite being the "terrorist". And he rightly pointed out Cronauer's arrogance at thinking he can waltz in like the great white savior and swoop up the girl, when in actuality it's probably just lustful desire. Brilliant metaphor for USA's involvement in the whole mess! I was relieved to see he didn't get the girl, otherwise I would've dumped popcorn all over the person sitting next to me.
I don't remember the director or writer of this film, but I'm pretty sure they are not huge names. That surprises me. I thought this was a really well made film. Glad you enjoyed it as well!
DRDMovieMusings válaszolt
Beküldve: 2023. június 24. 19:32
Good insight, and I'd bet you're right!
So well said.
Yep!
Indeed!
Barry Levinson, no slouch (Rain Man, Disclosure, Wag the Dog...)
DRDMovieMusings válaszolt
Beküldve: 2023. június 24. 19:45
At times, the movie had an almost documentary feel. That motif of the typewriter banging out the official government briefs gave it an authentic, newsroom like feel. Really anchored the tone, kept things sober, if you will.
rooprect válaszolt
Beküldve: 2023. június 25. 08:33
Definitely, it didn’t occur to me how important the typewriter scenes are until you mentioned it. They provide the perfect sober, sterile, “documentary” account of what’s happening. Now that I think back on those scenes I’m reminded of 2001 A Space Odyssey—the mechanical viewpoint of HAL’s actions providing the viewer with a cold irony.
The director of Rain Man, how did I miss that?? No slouch indeed!
DRDMovieMusings válaszolt
Beküldve: 2023. június 26. 20:07
Wonderful. As was Stephen in Django Unchained.
Well, you're wrong, but what's new?
DRDMovieMusings válaszolt
Beküldve: 2023. június 27. 11:47
There is a conversation to be had somewhere in this, but your curious framing makes it difficult to want to bother here on this board.
You can't be, because I don't know enough to challenge my belief that there's no solid argument supporting the notion that growing up in an American suburb "easily" rivals conditions in the Belgian Congo.
Yes, I wholly agree with that statement.
You were comparing American suburbs to the Congo. Nelson Mandela lived in South Africa. I won't even bother contending this assertion of kinship.
By this point, I'd have assumed you were being sarcastic but, if you're actually serious, I've no idea how to engage this conversation.
I'm content to stop here and let all we've typed thus far to speak for itself before things derail, as they are too often wont to do.
DRDMovieMusings válaszolt
Beküldve: 2023. június 27. 11:54
To me, Robin Williams was a far better dramatic actor than he was a stand-up comedian. I'm not sure I ever laughed at any stand-up material I ever heard him do. His pace, his rhythm, his tone, his sense of linguistic poetry, how he landed words...none of it ever resonated with me. Yet, when I watched him portray dramatic rolls (and, if most people refer to Dead Poets Society, the three to which I most frequently refer are Patch Adams, One Hour Photo, and Insomnia). I'm quite happy to add his turn here in Good Morning, Vietnam, to my list - and, again, it won't be due to how they presented him as "funny" (although, thanks to @rooprect I've learned enough to respect how well he nailed that aspect of the character-type).
If you think Robin Williams was a better stand-up comedian than he was a dramatic actor, you are entitled to your opinion; but to suggest that he deceived most film critics is, in my opinion, absurd.
DRDMovieMusings válaszolt
Beküldve: 2023. június 27. 12:16
My capacity to comprehend and follow along with comedy is just fine. We can differ on what constitutes "funny" — everyone has their preferences.
Sure, and Gene Hackman's acting school said he'd never make it. And Eddie Van Halen's music teacher said he'd never make it. The list is long of people who tuned out the detractors and discouragement, did their thing and found their audience.
It's sufficiently short of a tragedy that I wouldn't even consider the term applicable.
bratface válaszolt
Beküldve: 2023. június 27. 17:37
Juan Alberdi never spent any time in prison & what I have read about his life, never had to outwit an assassin.
bratface válaszolt
Beküldve: 2023. június 28. 00:43
I have. The worst thing that happened to Alberdi was that he lived in exile during Rosas' time as Governor. And by the way, his name was Juan Manuel de Rosas NOT Rojas. There is also NO comparison to what Mandela went through!