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Programme Information
This wonderful film is the magic work of Oliver Stone and Ron Kovic, who both worked on the script from Kovic's original book written in 1976.
The film's plot is about Kovic's disillusionment with the government in Vietnam. Kovic is played by Tom Cruise who is said to give such a performance that is so raw and genuine it could bring any viewer to tears.
The story is around how Ron Kovic was paralysed in the Vietnam War. He went there as a patriotic Marine, only being a young American teenager. From his horrific torment in the war, his character eventually changes into an anti-war, pro-human rights political activist; this change in character comes from his feelings of betrayal by the country he fought for.
The role is so well played by Cruise that the part almost seems to have been written with him in mind. He takes control of his role and delivers scenes very realistically, like when Kovic drunkenly confronts his mother or when he's drawn into an absurd wheelchair duel with another drunken vet.
The film takes some surprising diversions from the book like the representation of Kovic's family, particularly his mother, this kind of reflects how Kovic's own views have changed since he wrote the book and how Stone has added in his own interpretation of events.
The reasons why Kovic turned against war are so distorted that you don't know exactly what changed him. It almost appears as though it was peer pressure from others close to him that pushes him over the edge. The film raises some very strong issues about the government neglect, and personal views from Kovic, which make an extremely moving and passionate film.
Keywords:
Drama, War, Historical, History, Based-on-True-Story, Biographical, Biography, Movie, Film, Movies, Films, Vietnam War, Oscar Best Picture Nominated, Oscar Best Actor Nominee
Film
(1989) 
(5 Star)
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