Movie Review: Good Morning, Vietnam

My brother and a friend have been singing praises of this film for a long time now. So my expectations with this film were fairly high.

CONFESSION: I had tried watching this film once before but failed. I was tired that day and slept after forty-five minutes. My brother made me regret that decision for a long time and today was my chance.

It is more than fair to say that the Oscar nomination for Robin Williams is richly deserved. This performance is typical Williams in parts and not typical Williams in the rest. We see him doing his stuff over the radio and then the other side when he is off it.

I can't help but compare it to 'Good Night, and Good Luck'. It is similar! We have Williams' character trying to get the real news on air while Murrow is having public trials of Senator McCrathy. We have not seen this in India. These films and others, like 'V for Vendetta', try to mock the government. I am not even sure if this would be approved of in India. Remember how 'Rang De Basanti' was cleared by the IAF prior to its release?

GMV {Bruno Kirby's character loves acronyms!} is a simple movie. Almost toned down. But then it is not supposed to be hard-hitting. Maybe it is because this is the story of an experience a 'funny-man'.

What will I remember from this movie?

1. The long commercial breaks that interrupt short intervals of actual film.

2. Forest Whitaker as the lovable sidekick. In many ways this movie is as much of how his character evolves as Williams' character.

3. I can't forget the characterization of Lt. Steven Hauk. Kirby does a fantastic job! This is my favorite character in the film. He does not change in the film. He can't be changed. Demanding respect and belief that humor is formulaic, can anyone beat that?

RATING: 3/5