On G List of Movie Reviews
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The General's Daughter (1999)
Rate:
6
Viewed:
5/04, 6/05, 11/25
11/25:
I had seen The General's Daughter plenty of times but didn't remember the particulars years later.
Trying one more time, it's like twisting my hands over and over until there's a third arm ready to punch me
out of nowhere. That's how convoluted the plot is. I hate the fancy camera work. Yet the film is saved by the
all-star cast: John Travolta, Madeleine Stowe, James Woods, Timothy Hutton, James Cromwell, Clarence Williams
III, and Rick Dial.
Why James Cromwell? That's ruining the suspense right away. Of course, he was going to be the bad guy just
like L.A. Confidential. I also thought of Donald Moffat
of Clear and Present Danger since they looked so similar.
On the other hand, it's hard to root for John Travolta's character when he's sexually harassing Sarah Sunhill,
especially with his incessant questions whether or not she's married. At least, he has the best line of the film:
"My dad was a drunk, a gambler, and a womanizer. I worshipped him." James Woods overdoes his performance; when
it was revealed that his character was secretly gay, I scoffed.
Rape in military? It's been going on for decades, and the military doesn't do anything to curb the problem. Of
course, nobody should believe what the Department of Defense says as the numbers are grossly underreported. In
fact, the military didn't have a law concerning rape until the late 80's. The higher the rank the rapist holds,
the more likely he will get away with it scot-free. Worse, very few soldiers are ever convicted.
All in all, The General's Daughter is too Hollywoodized given the serious topic of military rape.