This is a quirky, black comedy movie of sorts. It's the kind of film that you either love or hate, I don't think there's much room in between for anything else.
It centres around US soldiers stationed in Germany before the fall of the Berlin Wall. It's peace time and the boredom appears to be a killer for them all .... to use their words "at least a war is exciting".
Ellwood (gorgeous Joaquin Phoenix) works in the supply department but actually seems to spend all his time on the next deal, including requisitioning and selling on army goods to the Germans on the black market, thanks in part to his hapless Colonel (Ed Harris) who just doesn't have a clue. He's also involved in supplying drugs which are sold to the on-base dealer - a high ranking MP believe it or not.
When a new officer arrives, he immediately realises what Ellwood is upto (as if the Mercedes and the expensive furniture weren't a dead give away) and sets about stopping it.
Unfortunately for Ellwood the man is a lunatic and actually "enjoyed Vietnam".
I hate to say it but at this point the macho man in Ellwood takes over and he decides the best way to get back at him is to date his daughter played by the very lovely Anna Paquin. But yep you got it, he actually starts to like her !!!
Along the way things begin to get very difficult with various friends getting hurt, a rampaging tank, a shipment of guns being found/stolen (it's a matter of how you look at it), a massive amount of drugs, people dying ... and Ellwood trying to find the time to 'fall in love' whilst avoiding the clutches of an over protective father.
It all leads to an explosive climax and an ending with a certain sweetness.
As I said it's certainly not an in between movie ... love it or hate it (and I loved it) just be thankful they never had to actually protect anyone.
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Production Year: 1957 - Drama - Director: Leo McCarey - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: Cathleen Nesbitt, Deborah Kerr, Cary Grant, Richard Denning, Neva Patterson, Fortunio Bonanova
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
It's 1989 and bored US soldier Ray Elwood (Joaquin Phoenix) is finding some original ways ... more
to keep himself busy. Tuck on duty as Batallion Clerk at a US Army base in West Germany before the fall of the Berlin Wall Elwood is maintaining a lucrative side...
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Mar 24th, 2004
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