First of all I can't believe people have given glowing reviews of this movie. Some say it's the best movie they have ever seen. All I can say to this is that they don't' get out much! A movie must be made by certain rules for example:
1.) It must be believable: (This is probably the most important rule for a serious drama such as this - you don't need to keep this rule for a comedy). This movie is far from believable the reasons for this I will reveal later.
2.) Character development: In this movie the characters are quite well developed for a bad film such as this and is probably only the second good element to the film.
3.)Acting : The acting was actually good, especially from the amazing Danny Glover. He could read the phone book and make it sound interesting. Also from the underrated Linda Hamilton.
4.) Pace: The movie starts well enough but does not change pace or build any tension of any kind. Leading you to believe that it's actually a feel good movie not a sad pathetic effort such as this.
5.)Structure: Good beginning poor middle terrible ending. The structure is one of the worst elements to this movie. It devotes too much time to the wrong story elements and leaves nothing for a proper rounded and satisfying film. This movie could be used as an example how NOT to make a film.
6.)Basic Story for script: The idea of Vietnam veterans hiding away in a wilderness is probably true. Nursing their wounds etc.. but the way that the story is written, there is no hope in the lives of the people, or any possibility of a well rounded story to develop. Consequently the script is just awful. IE. a.) Her seeing Danny Glover naked but no later development of this element to the story. then... b.) Embarrassing double entendre in store; With Danny Glover offering Linda Hamilton money for wine he'd taken earlier, asking her "how much will it cost, I'm not sure of the price anymore" and her thinking it was for sex, just because she's seen him naked. Which he didn't know about BTW. They've obviously known each other for years, so this story element is ridiculous. It's like they just met. c.) The little girl dying at the end of the movie is the silliest ending I think I've ever seen in a film. absolutely no point to this at all (except to make Danny Glover's character even more depressed than he already was.) and to remove any doubt that this was a "feel good movie". d.) No explanation of what happened to Ron Perlmans character after he was wounded. Strange this, has he was supposed to be one of the main stars of the film. The flaws in the story go on and on but IMDb doesn't allow more than a 1000 words so I'll stop there for now pointing out the bad story elements.
The story should have Danny Glover getting together with Linda Hamilton. Possible romance etc.. even though they've known each other for a long time, but as the writer has disregarded all the other rules, a bit of proper entertainment wouldn't have gone amiss. The little girl who strangely dies, should have actually coaxed Ron Perlmans character out of his shell and lead him back to an ordinary existence. That seemed to be the way the story was going until everything went pear shaped. As if the writer lost the will to live or something. It would also have been nice to see Linda Hamilton share some scenes with Ron Perlman for obvious reasons to anybody who is a TV fan. (That's why I bought the DVD in the first place, not to be assaulted with this garbage movie.)
In conclusion this movie is a VERY flawed exercise and seems like it was made and written by students instead of experienced pro's. Other reviewers have said this movie is gut wrenching . Hardly; it is so badly made that is just comes across as completely pointless. I could go on but this film doesn't deserve the attention. I give it 2 out of 10 only because of the good acting.
1.) It must be believable: (This is probably the most important rule for a serious drama such as this - you don't need to keep this rule for a comedy). This movie is far from believable the reasons for this I will reveal later.
2.) Character development: In this movie the characters are quite well developed for a bad film such as this and is probably only the second good element to the film.
3.)Acting : The acting was actually good, especially from the amazing Danny Glover. He could read the phone book and make it sound interesting. Also from the underrated Linda Hamilton.
4.) Pace: The movie starts well enough but does not change pace or build any tension of any kind. Leading you to believe that it's actually a feel good movie not a sad pathetic effort such as this.
5.)Structure: Good beginning poor middle terrible ending. The structure is one of the worst elements to this movie. It devotes too much time to the wrong story elements and leaves nothing for a proper rounded and satisfying film. This movie could be used as an example how NOT to make a film.
6.)Basic Story for script: The idea of Vietnam veterans hiding away in a wilderness is probably true. Nursing their wounds etc.. but the way that the story is written, there is no hope in the lives of the people, or any possibility of a well rounded story to develop. Consequently the script is just awful. IE. a.) Her seeing Danny Glover naked but no later development of this element to the story. then... b.) Embarrassing double entendre in store; With Danny Glover offering Linda Hamilton money for wine he'd taken earlier, asking her "how much will it cost, I'm not sure of the price anymore" and her thinking it was for sex, just because she's seen him naked. Which he didn't know about BTW. They've obviously known each other for years, so this story element is ridiculous. It's like they just met. c.) The little girl dying at the end of the movie is the silliest ending I think I've ever seen in a film. absolutely no point to this at all (except to make Danny Glover's character even more depressed than he already was.) and to remove any doubt that this was a "feel good movie". d.) No explanation of what happened to Ron Perlmans character after he was wounded. Strange this, has he was supposed to be one of the main stars of the film. The flaws in the story go on and on but IMDb doesn't allow more than a 1000 words so I'll stop there for now pointing out the bad story elements.
The story should have Danny Glover getting together with Linda Hamilton. Possible romance etc.. even though they've known each other for a long time, but as the writer has disregarded all the other rules, a bit of proper entertainment wouldn't have gone amiss. The little girl who strangely dies, should have actually coaxed Ron Perlmans character out of his shell and lead him back to an ordinary existence. That seemed to be the way the story was going until everything went pear shaped. As if the writer lost the will to live or something. It would also have been nice to see Linda Hamilton share some scenes with Ron Perlman for obvious reasons to anybody who is a TV fan. (That's why I bought the DVD in the first place, not to be assaulted with this garbage movie.)
In conclusion this movie is a VERY flawed exercise and seems like it was made and written by students instead of experienced pro's. Other reviewers have said this movie is gut wrenching . Hardly; it is so badly made that is just comes across as completely pointless. I could go on but this film doesn't deserve the attention. I give it 2 out of 10 only because of the good acting.