COURAGE UNDER FIRE
A film review by Ife Hsu
Copyright 1996 Ife Hsu
Twentieth Century Fox (1996) Running Time: 1:50hr Starring: Denzel Washington, Meg Ryan, Lou Diamond Phillips, Matt Damon, Scott Glenn, Michael Moriarty. Director: Edward Zwick.
Edward Zwick's Courage Under Fire is not really about the Gulf War. It is an inspiring, thoughtful, and honest movie about the search for truth, and ultimate redemption. Washington plays Colonel Nathaniel Serling, a decorated officer who wrongly ordered shooting of own troops at the Gulf War. While struggling with guilty and remorse, he is given an assignment to investigate the story behind the death of Karen Walden (Meg Ryan).
Walden is the first woman to be nomindated for the congressional Medal of Honor. She is to receive the posthumous award for having led a mission to rescue other US soldiers surrounded by Iraqi troops. Withstand all the pressure (White House, Pentagon, Newscasters) to produce a report commending Walden, Serling finds inconsistencies behind the stories told by surviving members of the rescue mission and refuses another situation where only authorized truth is revealed.
Washington, Ryan give riveting performances. Washington's Serling immerses into alcoholism, denial, and isolation to combat his remorse. Walden's story is a way to cleanse his soul marked by the lies forged onto his fatal misdoing at the Gulf War. Ryan divergely plays four Karen Waldens that come to life only through those who remembers her (parents, fellow soldiers), and shows vulnerability, strength, and charisma. Courage Under Fire also features excellent supporting cast especially Lou Diamond Phillips and Matt Damon.
Zwick has shown an excellent eye for cinematography (note previous efforts Glory, Legends of the Fall). All battle scenes are well choreographed and fairly accurate. The horrors of war are not focused with gore and violence much reduced from other war-related movies (i.e. Platoon). Despite some emotional manipulation of the audience at the end, Courage Under Fire still ranks easily as the best movie of this summer and will likely contend for Academy Awards.
**** of *****
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