Bryan Cranston Laurence
Fishburne Steve
Carell Deanne
Reed Foster
Cicely Tyson
As is typical for Richard Linklater films, this
one is packed full of a mix of humor, discussions/arguments about the
government/war/military service, religion, personal responsibility, conflict
resolution, expiation of guilt, and experiences of nostalgia and loss. Three buddies in the armed services
during the Viet Nam war meet up unexpectedly when the son of one of them is
killed in Iraq during his service.
Larry “Doc” (Carell) is distraught and appeals to his friends to
accompany him to bury his son in Arlington. The three haven’t seen/heard from each other for years, and
when Larry enters Sal’s (Cranston) bar, he has to remind Sal to look closely to
recognize him.
The next day, they go to round up the third
buddy who—to Sal’s horror—is now a minister. Richard (Fishburne) has become as circumspect (sober,
married, and reverent) as Sal is somewhat depraved (boozing, single, irreverent
and atheistic). Larry stands
somewhere in between, and often serves as peacemaker between the other
two. Sal instantly agrees to go on
the journey; whereas Larry has to be convinced. His wife Ruth (Foster) is effective in appealing to his
sense of responsibility and guilt. This journey will be a meandering one for
various reasons, and he and Sal will be at odds much of the time, which
provides both entertainment and thought-provoking discussions.
All three actors are proficient in their very
different roles, with Carell having perhaps the most challenging task. His character is understandably and
clearly depressed, but he has to show occasional spunk and wit and still play
the grieving father, along with a mix of orderliness and bumbling. Sal plays the executive role in making
decisions, making things happen, but also has a mix of restlessness, blurting
out whatever comes into his head, and asking impertinent questions, which
actually becomes tiresome after awhile.
Fishburne’s character is someone who was as much a rabble-rouser in his
younger days as Sal, but has sobered up and has developed strong Christian
moral beliefs. Cicely Tyson’s
cameo role is golden in its poignancy.
Linklater is gifted in successfully blending so
much meaningful content into a story (this one based on co-writer Darryl
Ponicsan’s novel), while still maintaining a sense of humor and acceptance of
human frailties. Cinematography by Shane F. Kelly, editing by Sandra Adair, and
music by M. Graham Reynolds help make the story flow with a natural rhythm and
pique interest in the material.
There are some scenes that seem irrelevant and bog down the picture,
such as the cell phone store (although this was a time to poke fun at the
geezers’ age gap) and Sunday dinner at the Minister’s house.
The film is timely in its treatment of the
death of servicemen during war, the government’s ineptness at times in
acknowledging and being truthful about the deaths and expressing gratitude to
families for the loved one’s service.
A Linklater-style road trip for three
retired U.S. Marines.
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