Reviewed by Brian M Downing
Director: Peter Farrelly
Starring: Zac Efron, Bill Murray, Russell Crowe
6/10
This comedy set in 1967-68 concerns Chickie Donohue who lives with the fierce Vietnam debate all around. He and most in his working-class neighborhood are traditional patriots who instinctively support the war and the guys over there. His sister and her set oppose it and lead frequent demonstrations. Chickie wants to show his support for the war and several buddies presently in Vietnam so he decides to bring them cans of beer – straight from the USA.
He signs on as a hand on a merchant ship headed for Vietnam and upon arrival seeks out his buddies, one by one, from Saigon to the DMZ. Travel is greatly aided by military personnel who suspect that this odd civilian must be CIA. Along the way he sees harsh aspects of the war and realizes that officials are lying to the American people. Chickie does some rethinking but perseveres in delivering the brewskis.
The film’s depictions of war aren’t, shall we say, Hemingway-esque, but this is a comedy, not a war epic. There are two fine supporting performances: Russell Crowe plays a cynical reporter in country and Bill Murray a patriotic bartender in New York affectionately known as “the colonel.” In appearance and voice, Murray is almost unrecognizable.
The film’s depiction of support for and criticism of the war is repetitive and a tad annoying. Better to concentrate on Chickie’s dedication to friends and rollicking travails. That’s a pretty good story right there – and it’s essentially true. But the filmmaker wanted to rehash debates of a half century ago. I felt the same about Good Morning, Vietnam. Just tell us about the disc jockey and skip the lecture. Same with the devoted friend from New York. He was probably a great guy in real life – somebody you’d like having a few beers with. He might even pick up the tab.
©2023 Brian M Downing
Brian M Downing is a national security analyst who’s written for outlets across the political spectrum. He studied at Georgetown University and the University of Chicago, and did post-graduate work at Harvard’s Center for International Affairs. Thanks as ever to fellow Hoya Susan Ganosellis.