Good Morning, Vietnam
by Barry Levinson
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Bruno Kirby, Chintara Sukapatana, Forest Whitaker, Robin Williams, Tung Thanh TranDirector: Barry Levinson
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; French (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, Letterboxed, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: Letterbox, 1.85:1
Running Time: 121 minutes
DVD Release Date: 1998-11-10
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Walt Disney Video
Movie Reviews of Good Morning, Vietnam
Movie Review: Good morning indeed...
Summary: 4 Stars
When `Good Morning Vietnam' allows itself to be nothing more than entertainment it passes with flying colors. It's the type of movie that really doesn't need too much of a plot. When the film tries to add some substance to its running time is when it starts to fray at the edges.
`Good Morning Vietnam' tells the somewhat true story (as in the film is not entirely faithful to actual events) of Adrian Cronauer, a radio DJ who spiced things up during the Vietnam War. During his stationing in Vietnam he raised the morale of the troupes but also managed to press the buttons of some of the higher officials who saw his approach to broadcast as a slap in the face so-to-speak. Their resistance didn't stop Cronauer from expressing his viewpoints and bucking the system, reading news he felt the troupes needed to hear, telling jokes he felt would raise their spirits and playing music he knew they would enjoy.
When the film is focused on that aspect of Cronauer's stay it soars. Robin Williams is hilarious, we all know this, and the film really allows him to just perform his standup routine to us all to enjoy; and enjoy we do. Williams also manages to delve into the moments that startle and unravel Adrian, piecing together a complete man and not just a walking punch-line.
But then, sadly, the film tries to add weight, and that weight comes in the form of Tuan, a young Vietnamese boy who befriends Adrian. For the majority of the film he seems harmless enough; just an acquaintance to add some humanity to Williams' character, but in the third act new revelations are revealed and his character changes, and this spurs the film in an entirely different direction that, in my humble opinion, takes away from the films enjoyment.
It feels forced and unnecessary.
Until that moment though, the film is wonderful. It is funny and moving and meaningful. The performances for the most part are also splendid. Williams received a much deserved Oscar nomination for his performance, and of the nominated five I have a feeling I would have leaned towards Williams for the win as well. Tung Thanh Tran is also effective as Tuan, even if his characters development is ridiculous in my opinion. Forest Whitaker is somewhat annoying here, but it was early in his career so I'll give him some slack (is it just me or does he sound like David Chappelle's imitation of a white man?). The real standout here is Bruno Kirby who just nails Lt. Steven Hauk's wit and humor (or un-wit and un-humor) brilliantly and provides some of the films biggest laughs.
In the end I must say that I enjoyed `Good Morning Vietnam' and would love to say that it was one of the best films of 1987. If the ending had been ditched for one more appropriate then I would say that, but that pesky final act just throws the whole thing for me. I recommend this film, because it has a lot going for it; it just pains me to say that it could have been even better.
Summary of Good Morning, Vietnam
Academy Award(R)-winner Robin Williams shakes up 1965 Saigon in the role critics agree he was born to play -- irreverent, nonconformist deejay Adrian Cronauer. Imported by the Army for an early a.m. radio show, Cronauer blasts the formerly staid, sanitized airwaves with a constant barrage of rapid-fire humor and the hottest hits from back home. The G.I.s love him -- but the brass is up in arms! Riddled with sidesplitting comic bombshells and studded with hot '60s hits, the film depicts Cronauer's raucous Saigon adventures amid a world gone mad. GOOD MORNING VIETNAM is a direct hit -- the classic Robin Williams comedy!Barry Levinson (Wag the Dog) directed this comedy-drama about an Armed Forces Radio disc jockey (Robin Williams) whose manic, hilarious delivery from a studio in 1965 Saigon gives U.S. troops in the field a morale boost (while upsetting military brass). Based on the real-life experiences of deejay Adrian Cronauer, the film is actually more concept than story: put Williams in front of a microphone and let him go nuts. Still, the surrounding stuff about the influence upon Cronauer of the endless deaths among his listeners--as Cronauer tries to stay funny while feeling the mounting losses--is affecting. Williams got a much-deserved Oscar nomination for his work. --Tom Keogh
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