GOOD MORNING VIETNAM (1987)
Stars: Robin Williams, Forest Whitaker
Director: Barry Levinson
Studio: Disney/Touchstone
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Rating: R
Length: 121 Min.
Movie Grade: A-
Bonus Features Grade: C+
Good Morning Vietnam was one of the first films to take a usually taboo subject matter and try to make it funny. I can assure you that during the 1960s and most of the 70s that very few people were laughing about the Vietnam War, as it still remains a touchy subject from our Nation’s history. However, regardless of the scenarios, one thing has always been certain (no matter how cliché) – Laughter is the best medicine. Williams’ eccentric DJ character, Adrian Cronauer, is based on a real person who actually did DJ on Armed Forces Radio during the Vietnam War. When Cronauer decides to “shake things up” while on the air, he quickly becomes an iconic hero to the soldiers that listen to him. He also infuriates the powers-that-be in a way that is reminiscent to Howard Stern today. Sure, he is controversial but people tune in. Good Morning also delivers a terrific and surprising love story when Cronauer agrees to teach the villagers English and ends up falling for one of his Vietnamese students.
While the film is a superb break from reality in a way that refreshes the often horrific thoughts of Vietnam, the special features on the new blu-ray were a little lackluster. Here is a quick list of the bonus material that will be included on the blu-ray:
-Production Diary (5 mini-features on the film’s inception and making)
-Raw Monologues (Robin Williams’ improvisational DJ-ing)
-Original Trailer and Teaser Trailer
As you can see, the bonus features are not abundant, first of all. And, secondly, they are a little boring, even for fans of the movie (which I am). The interviews with the cast and crew, as usual, were a delight. It’s always great to see them speak so candidly of their experiences. However, Robin Williams was not interviewed. To me, that placed a huge void since his retrospect I find most alluring. It was interesting and enlightening to see the interviews with the real-life Adrian Cronauer, and to hear his comparison between the “real thing” and Hollywood’s version. Along with the wonderful music from the 1960s, that was probably my favorite part of the bonus materials.
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