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That's how Private Hatcher (John C. Reilly) describes their situation as soldiers during the Vietnam War early on this film. There is a certain notion of soldiers being thrown into situations "not knowing s-hit", i.e. not fully prepared to what they were about to face, both in terms of warfare as well as psychologically. But some argue that that same "free-for-all" approach leads then to psychological and behavioral issues that can be easily summed up as "not giving a s-hit". Those two frames of mind are the core of this Brian De Palma war film.
Casualties of War follows a squad led by Sergeant Meserve (Sean Penn) that after an ambush, decide to kidnap and rape a young Vietnamese woman. Although most of his fellow soldiers go along with the plan, Private Eriksson (Michael J. Fox) is against it, which leads to tension, confrontations, and the moral dilemma of whether he should "give a s-hit" and who ultimately "gives a s-hit" in the end.
I had seen this film a couple of times back in the day, but for some reason, I hadn't seen it in maybe 15-20 years. However, it had left an impression and I often cited it as one of my favorite war films and probably on my Top 5 films from De Palma. Despite exposing some flaws, revisiting it last night proved that this is still a well-made and powerful film.
The primary burden of the film lies in the performances of the two leads. If they can convincingly sell the two attitudes ("giving a s-hit" and "not giving a s-hit"), most of the work is done. Fortunately, although not at 100%, Penn and Fox are both capable enough in their roles. Fox does a pretty good job conveying Eriksson's idealism and naivete. He does feel a bit too naïve and aloof at times, but I guess that's the point. Penn has the showier role and although he does go a bit overboard at times, he's pretty good as the despicable Meserve.
The supporting cast, which includes Reilly, John Leguizamo, Ving Rhames, Don Patrick Harvey, and Thuy Thu Le is also pretty good. The other main flaw for me is that as the film reaches its climax, the dialogue becomes more preachy and forced. I also don't think the flash-forwards that bookend the film added much, but overall, this remains a harrowing film that depicts a microcosm of the horrors of war, as well as the psychological effects it has on everyone involved.
Grade:
CASUALTIES OF WAR
(1989, De Palma)
A war film
(1989, De Palma)
A war film
"First you don't know s-hit, then you don't give a s-hit."
That's how Private Hatcher (John C. Reilly) describes their situation as soldiers during the Vietnam War early on this film. There is a certain notion of soldiers being thrown into situations "not knowing s-hit", i.e. not fully prepared to what they were about to face, both in terms of warfare as well as psychologically. But some argue that that same "free-for-all" approach leads then to psychological and behavioral issues that can be easily summed up as "not giving a s-hit". Those two frames of mind are the core of this Brian De Palma war film.
Casualties of War follows a squad led by Sergeant Meserve (Sean Penn) that after an ambush, decide to kidnap and rape a young Vietnamese woman. Although most of his fellow soldiers go along with the plan, Private Eriksson (Michael J. Fox) is against it, which leads to tension, confrontations, and the moral dilemma of whether he should "give a s-hit" and who ultimately "gives a s-hit" in the end.
I had seen this film a couple of times back in the day, but for some reason, I hadn't seen it in maybe 15-20 years. However, it had left an impression and I often cited it as one of my favorite war films and probably on my Top 5 films from De Palma. Despite exposing some flaws, revisiting it last night proved that this is still a well-made and powerful film.
The primary burden of the film lies in the performances of the two leads. If they can convincingly sell the two attitudes ("giving a s-hit" and "not giving a s-hit"), most of the work is done. Fortunately, although not at 100%, Penn and Fox are both capable enough in their roles. Fox does a pretty good job conveying Eriksson's idealism and naivete. He does feel a bit too naïve and aloof at times, but I guess that's the point. Penn has the showier role and although he does go a bit overboard at times, he's pretty good as the despicable Meserve.
The supporting cast, which includes Reilly, John Leguizamo, Ving Rhames, Don Patrick Harvey, and Thuy Thu Le is also pretty good. The other main flaw for me is that as the film reaches its climax, the dialogue becomes more preachy and forced. I also don't think the flash-forwards that bookend the film added much, but overall, this remains a harrowing film that depicts a microcosm of the horrors of war, as well as the psychological effects it has on everyone involved.
Grade: