On B List of Movie Reviews
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Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
Rate:
10
Viewed:
7/05, 2/13, 9/19
7/05:
You can hate Tom Cruise all you want, but there's no denying that he gave the best performance of his career in
Born on the Fourth of July.
The story of Ron Kovic is tragic but all too common. It explores how dangerous idealism can be because when the harsh
truth is discovered for the first time, the effect it has on the person is devastating.
Willem Dafoe and Caroline Kava turn in marvelous supporting performances. Tom Cruise has great scenes with both of them
individually. The best is when Ron Kovic had an argument with his mother and yelled "Penis! Penis!" in the house as if
it's such an unholy word.
By the way, what a job by Tom Berenger when he gave the Marine Corps speech. Only he can pull it off due to his
credibility of having turned in an Oscar-nominated performance as Sergeant Barnes in Platoon.
All in all, Born on the Fourth of July, a brilliantly directed film by Oliver Stone, is the one that Tom Cruise should
be remembered for eternity.
2/13:
Born on the Fourth of July is the best film that Tom Cruise has ever done in his storied career, and it's his eyes
that did it.
Most importantly, the credit goes to Oliver Stone for making the film seamless and moving. He also takes advantage of
Ron Kovic's autobiographical story to tell how one disabled Vietnam veteran went from an idealistic patriot to a cynical,
jaded hater because of the lies that were spoon-fed to him.
All in all, say all what you want about Tom Cruise, but there's no denying that he proved in Born on the Fourth of July
he's a great actor.
9/19:
If you want to look for Tom Cruise's best performance, it's on full display in Born on the Fourth of July.
I finally read Ron Kovic's autobiography and have to say the movie is better. The book is more of a feeling which is
personal and powerful. Oliver Stone captures it perfectly well on screen, being the reason why he won the Oscar for
Best Director.
Born on the Fourth of July is an interesting movie because it's about a corny guy who's idealistic.
To put his feelings into action, he decides to serve in the Marines Corps and gets shipped off to the Vietnam War.
It's not until the impact of being shot that left him a paraplegic when he realizes the whole thing was a mistake.
Hence, is it his fault or the country's fault?
One reviewer said the movie was too long and bombastic. I disagree. Born on the Fourth of July is an epic of
somebody's life, and there are a lot of highs and lows. It's a moving picture, and a lot of people can relate to it just
like The Best Years of Our Lives,
Coming Home, and The Deer Hunter.
Once again, Tom Cruise is brilliant as Ron Kovic who spent a year preparing for the role by immmersing himself
into the character. It's the best performance of his career which is hard to believe because he's an action
star as of lately. But to give a performance like that, it speaks to Tom Cruise's greatness as an actor.
All in all, having been twelve years in the making and thanks to the success of Platoon, Born on the Fourth of July is
an outstanding cinematic achievement by Oliver Stone and Ron Kovic.