The title, 1969 gives off such a dynamic vibe but the end result is disappointing. Made in 1988 when films depicting the Vietnam war were all the rage this is sub par if you compare this with Born on the Fourth of July that would be released a year later.
Kiefer Sutherland plays Scott. Robert Downey Jr plays his best buddy Ralph. Both have left college and are making their way back home, a small Maryland town. Scott is more introverted, softly spoken and clever. Ralph is more boisterous, loud, does crazy thing and into drugs. As it was almost common at the time there is a scene of Downey Jr running around with just his underpants on.
Once they get home Scott realises that his older brother is on his way to Vietnam. You get the feeling he will not be coming back. Their father (Bruce Dern) a World War 2 veteran seems supportive of his son going to Vietnam and ashamed of Scott's opposition to the war.
Scott and Ralph decide to go on the road rather then await to get drafted. This means exploring the hippie movement of the town with sex, drugs and rock n roll.
Once they get back home Scott learns that his brother his MIA. There is tension is his parent's marriage. Ralph ends up in jail when he sneaks into the draft board office and tries to destroy his file in order to avoid the draft. Scott falls for Ralph's sister Beth (Winona Ryder) which also causes resentment with Ralph.
The film is rather aimless, lost too much in nostalgia as depicted by the film's soundtrack. The film itself is not as amusing or interesting and neither are the characters. Downey's Ralph reminded me of a lot of other characters he played at the time.
If you want to watch a bittersweet film about teenagers in the Vietnam war era you will get more mileage out from a classic like Big Wednesday.
The best performances are from Bruce Dern and Mariette Hartley who plays Scott's parents. Dern tones it down a bit as the patrician father rather all at sea during changing times.
Kiefer Sutherland plays Scott. Robert Downey Jr plays his best buddy Ralph. Both have left college and are making their way back home, a small Maryland town. Scott is more introverted, softly spoken and clever. Ralph is more boisterous, loud, does crazy thing and into drugs. As it was almost common at the time there is a scene of Downey Jr running around with just his underpants on.
Once they get home Scott realises that his older brother is on his way to Vietnam. You get the feeling he will not be coming back. Their father (Bruce Dern) a World War 2 veteran seems supportive of his son going to Vietnam and ashamed of Scott's opposition to the war.
Scott and Ralph decide to go on the road rather then await to get drafted. This means exploring the hippie movement of the town with sex, drugs and rock n roll.
Once they get back home Scott learns that his brother his MIA. There is tension is his parent's marriage. Ralph ends up in jail when he sneaks into the draft board office and tries to destroy his file in order to avoid the draft. Scott falls for Ralph's sister Beth (Winona Ryder) which also causes resentment with Ralph.
The film is rather aimless, lost too much in nostalgia as depicted by the film's soundtrack. The film itself is not as amusing or interesting and neither are the characters. Downey's Ralph reminded me of a lot of other characters he played at the time.
If you want to watch a bittersweet film about teenagers in the Vietnam war era you will get more mileage out from a classic like Big Wednesday.
The best performances are from Bruce Dern and Mariette Hartley who plays Scott's parents. Dern tones it down a bit as the patrician father rather all at sea during changing times.