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Article 99 (1992)

Rate: 7
Viewed: 4/20, 6/22

Arti99
4/20: One character asked, "What is Article 99?"

The film's definition is: "Unless an illness/injury is related to military service, a veteran is not eligible for VA hospital benefits." In other words, the military just wants to spend money on defense but save money by deprioritizing health care.

Highlighting a terrible situation at one badly broken VA hospital, Article 99 isn't a strong film, but the main reason to see it is the good performances put on by a talented cast, most especially Ray Liotta, Kiefer Sutherland, and Eli Wallach. The story is kind of shocking because I've kept seeing "Support the Troops" bumper stickers many times yet the United States doesn't care about them after their usefulness has run out.

Yes, it's happening nowadays and has been so since the Vietnam War. In the past six years, more than 45,000 veterans and active-duty service members have committed suicide which is more than the total number of Americans killed in both Afghanistan and Iraq wars. The gung-ho military culture says, "To seek help is to show weakness." So, they don't.

There have been horror stories about VA hospitals across the United States. One described his experience that's akin to "getting medical care at the post office." Long wait lines; overcrowded, understaffed, and underfunded hospitals; misdiagnoses; terrible food; stacks of bills; and, most of all, heavy bureaucratic red tape are rampant despite the veterans being told they'll receive the finest health care for free.

All in all, Article 99 might have retained credibility if it was less silly toward the end.

6/22: Article 99 is a good movie with strong cast, but it's hard for me to rate it higher than '7'.

The plot revolves around veterans health care that's in the mold of The Hospital. A lot of what goes on in VA hospitals as shown is probably true, but it becomes sillier toward the end. On the other hand, the cast is first-rate: Ray Liotta, Kiefer Sutherland, Forest Whitaker, John C. McGinley, Eli Wallach, Lea Thompson, and John Mahoney, among others. How did the filmmakers manage to collect so much talent in one place? Many went on to appear in ER.

All in all, if you liked M*A*S*H and The Hospital, Article 99 should be right up your alley.