GOOD MORNING VIETNAM

This movie is both funny and sad, but most importantly worth a watch.

I loved this film when it first came out, and love it more now. Robin Williams is poetry in motion. Not a frame wasted. Wonderful editing. Great 60s music. Memories of what it felt like to be in your 20's and in the middle of a youth quake. Riots, school takeovers, Black Panther brothers, the death of Che, the Venceremous Brigade in Cuba. We thought we'd live forever and never grow old. Watching this slice of Nam and the young American men fighting over there made me weep, making it difficult to see the movie through the fog of tears. So very long ago! When the movie came out I was eager to see it because I knew J. T. Walsh and was thrilled to see him in a film with Robin Williams, my favorite entertainer. When J. T. and I met in 1983 in NYC, he was a struggling Off-Broadway actor with great talent. He was in an Off-Broadway play with another young unknown named John Goodman. I knew after watching the play they were destined for bigger things. John hit the lottery with Roseanne and J. T. broke the ice with Glengarry Glen Ross on Broadway. In 1983, I could have never forseen J. T. dying at 53 and Robin at 63. When Good Morning, Vietnam came out they were two young, dynamic, talented men with their entire lives ahead of them. Watching this film now, in 2014, it breaks my heart knowing how their stories end. The reaction from the audience in the Times Square movie theatre was electric. We had never seen anything like this before. A fresh take on the war in Nam. How could you make light of Vietnam when so many American men and women didn't come home? Or your friends came home but were hooked on drugs and their souls were shattered forever. They left their youth in the rice paddies and on muddy roads. This is my favorite Robin Williams movie with The Birdcage a close second. There will never be another entertainer like him. He was one-of-a-kind. Unique. Brilliant. Electrifying. He walked that high wire every performance without a net. This film is a living testament to his talent. My grandchildren will watch this many years from now and laugh as hard as I did. My daughter wore his Mork rainbow suspenders for years. I wish I had kept them. You can almost feel the humidity as you watch the film. It is very emotional to see the gun boats on the rivers and deltas as James Brown blasts from their portable radios on deck. As they man the machine guns and wait for the enemy to show himself, these great 60s classics give them a chance to briefly exhale. When the Vietcong heard the music in the distance, what were they thinking? Here come those crazy American kids? Did some of them wish they could be US soldiers and return to America? Escape from the Nam they grew up in. This movie makes your heart break and opens up your imagination to 'what if?' Because Robin Williams left us only a few weeks ago this film is difficult to watch. However, you are so thankful he made it and you have a chance to revisit his incredible talent. To me, this is a special film because Robin was so new to the big screen and showed a vulnerability he would not in future films. When I first ordered it the day after Robin died, it was sold out on amazon. Not surprised at all. Happily waited for it to be re-issued. This is how I am spending Labor Day 2014. Remembering Vietnam, J. T., all my friends who fought there, and remembering what it felt like to be in my 20's living overseas and protesting the war. There will never be another war like Nam. Next time the war will come to us and will be fought on our streets. Think it can't happen? Read the headlines. There won't be funny scenes and rock n' roll when ISIS arrives. We will always have Good Morning, Vietnam to remind us of our youth and how we spent it. Thank you, Robin. Thank you J. T. You will always be with us through your incredible bodies of work. So blessed to have witnessed your talent.

The TALENT of Robin Williams! Itʻs a great film of his expansive acting skill, both as a comic and actor!

great movie

Good movie very funny . It reminded me of my time overseas a little bit , but was a good movie .

'Good Morning, Vietnam' is a 1987 American war comedy-drama film written by Mitch Markowitz and directed by Barry Levinson. Set in Saigon in 1965, during the Vietnam War, the film stars Robin Williams as a radio DJ on Armed Forces Radio Service, who proves hugely popular with the troops, but infuriates his superiors with what they call his "irreverent tendency". Loosely based on the experiences of AFRS radio DJ Adrian Cronauer - Cronaur originally pitched a sitcom in 1979 that was ultimately rejected because of the use of the Vietnam War as a liaison to comedic material. Cronauer then revised his proposal into a script for a television movie-of-the-week which is responsible for initially garnishing Williams’ attention); ultimately, very little of this original script was maintained following Mitch Markowitz’ recruitment as a screenwriter. That said - to call ‘Good Morning, Vietnam’ Inaccurate would be a gigantic understatement. In Cronauers’ own words: “Anybody who has been in the military will tell you that if I did half the things in that movie, I’d still be in Leavenworth right now”. In addition to this none of the (other) people in the film are based on actual ones, but are rather caricatures or stereotypes of military personnel who existed at the time. Cronauer also formally taught English in his spare time and clashed with his superiors over censorship related standards, but everything else are fabrications for the sake of plot. It's ‘approximated’ that ‘GMV’ is only “approximately 45% accurate”, but It ultimately gained the approval of Cronauer given its 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 as a piece of entertainment as opposed to a point-by-point biography. Having ad libbed an entirety of his characters’ broadcasts, ‘GMV’ is a Tour-de-France of Williams’ extensive variety of cinematic talents (personally, I have always been a huge fan of his voice acting myself). A natural at interjecting humor with tact - the role of a subordinate with a knack for coming out on top is executed to perfection (and, who doesn't love some classic #stickittotheman shenanigans?) Afterwards Williams also won a Golden Globe for best actor and was nominated for an Academy Award subsequently following this performance. Not a surprise, whatsoever, and he is still very much missed :’( Given the year of its release ‘Good morning, Vietnam’ is also applauded for its humanized representation of Vietnamese individuals, but they are still confined within a restricted set of allotted stereotypes. The misplaced racism is rather lilliputian in comparison, however, mostly because I'm feeling extremely ambivalent about the ending. Without spoilers: all I will say is that the “Vietnamese terrorist” angle introduced seems largely unnecessary and rather abrupt, but this is somehow done without completely villainizing an entire category of people. Regardless: at the very least the conclusion is logical despite fulfilling an obvious need for drama and closure. Compacted with elements that have aged like milk (and others, like wine), ‘Good Morning, Vietnam’ qualifies as both enjoyable and appeasing. Far from a personal favorite - but between Williams’ fresh face and old soul this is worth seeing at least once. (#RIPRobin)

"Good Morning, Vietnam" is a 1987 American comedy-drama film directed by Barry Levinson and starring Robin Williams in one of his most iconic roles. The film is loosely based on the experiences of Adrian Cronauer, a radio DJ who entertained American troops during the Vietnam War. Here's a review of "Good Morning, Vietnam": Robin Williams's Performance: Robin Williams delivers a tour de force performance as Adrian Cronauer, a maverick radio DJ whose irreverent humor and unorthodox style make him a hit with the troops but put him at odds with his superiors. Williams's trademark wit, energy, and improvisational skills are on full display, and he infuses the role with both humor and humanity, earning him critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. Blend of Comedy and Drama: "Good Morning, Vietnam" skillfully balances humor with more serious themes, offering a nuanced portrayal of life during wartime. While the film is filled with laugh-out-loud moments, it also explores the harsh realities of the Vietnam War, including the impact on both American soldiers and the Vietnamese people. The juxtaposition of comedy and drama adds depth and resonance to the film, making it a powerful and thought-provoking viewing experience. Cultural Commentary: The film serves as a poignant commentary on the cultural divide between American servicemen and the Vietnamese people, as well as the broader socio-political context of the Vietnam War. Through Cronauer's interactions with his colleagues, superiors, and the local population, "Good Morning, Vietnam" explores themes of cultural clash, imperialism, and the human cost of war, offering a compelling and multifaceted perspective on this tumultuous period in history. Soundtrack: The film's soundtrack is an integral part of its appeal, featuring a wide range of iconic songs from the 1960s that enhance the mood and atmosphere of the film. From classic rock tunes to Motown hits, the soundtrack captures the spirit of the era and adds an extra layer of nostalgia and authenticity to the story. Supporting Cast: In addition to Robin Williams's standout performance, "Good Morning, Vietnam" features a strong supporting cast, including Forest Whitaker, Bruno Kirby, and J.T. Walsh. Each actor brings depth and authenticity to their respective roles, creating a rich ensemble dynamic that adds depth and dimension to the film's narrative. Overall, "Good Morning, Vietnam" is a timeless classic that combines humor, drama, and social commentary to create a poignant and memorable cinematic experience. Robin Williams's unforgettable performance, coupled with the film's sharp writing, evocative soundtrack, and powerful themes, make it a must-watch for audiences of all ages.

Great movie

Good Morning

A real classic starring Robin Williams worth every penny. The soundtrack isn't too bad either. Recommended purchase 👍

Great movie

Super film

Arrived on time, and decent price.