Casualties of War

I've still yet to see a few elite films about the Vietnam War, so I'm glad I can finally check Casualties of War off my list. Brian De Palma is something of a magician and genius to me when it comes to mafia films, but I had no idea if his war film would be my cup of tea. It ultimately came down to three things: the actors' performances, the emotionally powerful story, and the music. Michael J. Fox will probably always be associated with Back to the Future for most people, but I never expected him to deliver such raw emotion and believable expressions. On the other hand, Penn, playing a soldier who couldn’t care less about crossing moral and ethical lines, was excellent. He truly nailed the role. The story is definitely the main draw—it portrays war in a different light, beyond just bloody battles, capturing how some people cross the line that should remain untouched. The music by Morricone is a treasure once again; the man has a real gift. It’s not quite worth a perfect score, as the film could have used more action sequences (though that’s not its main focus, of course), and there are a few dull moments that could’ve been trimmed. I give it 82%. (2017-08-30)

The heartbreaking story of a kidnapped, raped, and brutally murdered Vietnamese girl is portrayed with a sufficient dose of naturalism and brutality. Brian De Palma directs brilliantly again, both the war sequences and the dialogue scenes. And especially from him, I wouldn't expect something so powerful and suggestive. As for the depiction of the Vietnamese hell, I like Casualties of War more than Platoon, Full Metal Jacket, and even more than Coppola's Apocalypse Now. (2005-07-28)

Unfortunately, this relatively unknown film takes a different perspective on war than most American productions. There are few battle scenes; instead, the story focuses on a small group of soldiers who begin to behave without restraint under extreme conditions. It's an emotionally powerful experience, supported by well-chosen casting and strong performances. For Michael J. Fox, it was a great opportunity to escape the comedic typecasting, and he rewarded Brian De Palma with the best performance of his career. It's hard to say why the film faded into obscurity, especially when Platoon, released shortly before, was so successful. Perhaps the Vietnam War theme was already worn out by that time, and Americans had grown tired of the criticism. Overall impression: 85%. (2007-10-26)

A gritty film with a really nasty story full of characters so evil it's truly unprecedented. I'm not going to watch it again. We get a great Michael J. Fox and Sean Penn, Morricone's weaving music reminiscent of The Mission, a constant sense of hopelessness, De Palma's precise direction that makes you "be there" and makes you want to scream in the most emotionally charged moments.... After Apocalypse Now and Full Metal Jacket, this is the third most successful Vietnam film. Stone's Platoon, still misunderstood by me, is a weak concoction of worn US Army socks compared to Casualties of War. I'm gonna go get some air. (2011-05-17)

When you look at this film with some distance, you realize how simple the whole story actually is. But its simplicity is its strength. With its straightforward storytelling, it leads us to understand what war really means, particularly such a senseless one, and how it leaves its mark on the participants. Sean Penn is disgusting, which only showcases his abilities. (2016-10-14)