(December 1989, U.S.)
I have a rather shameful confession to make, and here it is...(deep breath now)...despite the fact that Tom Cruise has spent nearly the last decade behaving like a complete idiot in front of the media, I have an irresistable weakness for most of his films (there, I said it!). Bear in mind, I said MOST of his films. I mean, no one, in their right mind, could be expected to sit through junk like COCKTAIL (1988), DAYS OF THUNDER (1990) and FAR AND AWAY (1992), right? Right?
So being that BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY is the first Tom Cruise film in my alphabetical film collection that I'm discussing, I'm glad that I can start off with what is without challange the best performance of his career (this and RAIN MAN). His unforgettable performance as Vietnam veteran Ron Kovic earned him his first Academy Award nomination.
Without getting into too much detail about Ron Kovic's life, it's enough to know that he was a product of the early 1960's call-to-duty by the immortal words of John F. Kennedy's "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country" speech and the American paroid, bullshit fear of global communism of the time, which later inspired him to enlist in the united States Marines. He went to Vietnam, fought for his country, lost the use of his legs and his dick for his country, and in the end, got royally screwed by his country and was dramatically disillusioned by his country. In later years, he spoke out against the war he had once been eager to be a part of and also published his autobiography.
The most intruiging element of this film, though, is that of transformation - Kovic's transformation from an idealistic youth willing to die for his country to a paralyzed veteran who feels manipulated, lied to, and cheated. But the life of Ron Kovic is not truly unique, by any means, as there must have been untold numbers of American soldiers who experienced the same mental anguish and betrayel of the Vietnam war. Ron Kovic was surely just one man of many, but perhaps it need only be the story of ONE man that can get the historical point across while penetrating our minds and touching our hearts.
Favorite line or dialogue:
Ron Kovic: "People say that if you don't love America, then get the hell out! Well, I love America!"
Great review; I agree that the intensity with which Cruise attacks the transformational aspect of the character is the center of his performance, this film being the vanguard of many of his films showcasing his considerable range as an actor.
ReplyDeleteNow, my theory about Tom :
We all know that true inspiration can come from internal conflict. The total commitment and ferocity with which Tomcat attacks his roles, as well as his incredibly eccentric off-screen lifestyle can mean only one thing:
He's an Alien!!!
(a gay alien of course.........)