Click here for the review of Born on the Fourth of July (1989)

Part of the "1980s" series.

I have yet to see this film. I wonder just where this would land on my Oliver Stones list ('Platoon' is the pinnacle, followed closely by 'JFK', then there's a bit of a drop-off). I never had a nagging interest to see it, and the review actually make me feel more ambivalent. If the entire last hour is weak, then perhaps I'm in for a long, tedious haul

re: The review:



You may want to rephrase that a bit, particularly regarding the VA hospital scenes in Born on the Fourth of July.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/17/AR2007021701172.html

I'm in agreement that it's a really, really good movie but a few steps away from greatness. I've always felt the story was incomplete and much was missing from the final third. I was particularly let down when first watching it that Kovic's parents weren't heard from again, as that relationship was at the heart of the movie. Still a really good complement to Platoon, though.

I read Ron Kovic's memoir in 1998. I found a paperback copy of it at a used bookstore. It's a brisk read - short chapters, and I recall it's less than 200 pages. He remains a figurehead in any discussion of the protest movement - past and future. I recommend the book - and I would imagine it's still in print. The big budget film was not as powerful as the intimate, personal memoir - but Oliver Stone and Tom Cruise are great craftsmen and both gave their all for this production. Whatever weaknesses the film has was a victim to the rushed hystria and caffinated pace Stone - as is his nature - enjoys shooting and editing his films.

Amazing movie. Tom Cruise's best performance. And Oliver Stone's 4th best movie behind JFK, Platoon and the criminally underrated World Trade Center.

A definite 4 stars from me.