Good Morning, Vietnam

Scott Weinberg started his review out by saying, “Last night was my first revisit with Barry Levinson's Good Morning, Vietnam since the late 80s, and while I distinctly remember enjoying the film because of Robin Williams' wild antics and surprisingly warm performance, it was last night's screening that made me realize the movie's got a whole lot more than just its leading man.”

The setting of the comedy classic “Good Morning, Vietnam” released in 1987, is Vietnam in the mid 1960s, when the situation was still known as “military police action,” and wasn’t really known as a full-blown and dangerous “war.” Coming straight off from his service in Greece is radio DJ Adrian Cronauer, played by the late Robin Williams, whose broadcasts is loved by the right officer and predicated his transfer to Saigon. Cronauer quickly rises to the top by way of his rough rock and comedy broadcasts, his effortlessly likable personality, and his soon-to-be famous catchphrase: “Goooooooood Morning Vietnaaaaam!”

I don’t think it comes as a surprise that there are those who don’t like Cronauer’s method of being a DJ, most notably a 2^nd Lt. Steven Hauk (Bruno Kirby) and a Sergeant Major Dickerson (JT Walsh). On the other end are Adrian’s friends and supporters: Brigadier General Taylor (Noble Willingham), PFC Ed Garlick (Forest Whitaker) and Sgt. Marty Dreiwitz (Robert Wuhl). (Throw in some great supporting performances from Richard Edson as a clueless private and Richard Portnow as Dan “The Man” Levitan, and you’re looking at a memorable ensemble cast.)

Weinberg noted, “Aside from the main story of Cronauer's inspired brand of insanity, his conflicts with the brass, and the fanbase he slowly starts to build, Good Morning, Vietnam branches off into quite a few unpredictable paths.” One bittersweet subplot is Adrian gently flirting with a lovely Vietnamese girl (Chintara Shukapatana), however they both know it’s a pointless relationship. Another is Cronauer’s friendship with a Vietnamese teen (Tung Thanh Tran)… who may or may not be a Viet Cong terrorist.

Weinberg said, “Robin Williams was awarded his very first Oscar nomination for his performance as Adrian Cronauer, and I wouldn't argue that accolade one bit.” The man really was a force to reckon with, making a character that is instantly likable, really funny, and completely the type of guy you’d want to be friends with. (Williams was also nominated for “Dead Poets Society” and “The Fisher King” before winning the Oscar for “Good Will Hunting.”)

Weinberg noted, “Most movies would have been content to have Robin Williams' non-stop shtick, mixed liberally with the whole "misfit vs. military" side-story, but Barry Levinson clearly wanted to bring some sincerity to the flick, which helped to bring a "grass-roots" perspective to the Vietnam war (or at least a part of it) that the average moviegoer would be able to understand and appreciate.” (However, Williams did something right. In the domestic box office, “Good Morning, Vietnam” was one of 1987’s highest-grossing movies, approaching $124.)

Weinberg mentioned, “Based (very) loosely on the experiences of a real man, Good Morning, Vietnam is hardly the finest film ever made about Vietnam, nor is it an entirely flawless one (some of the emotional fare leans on the cornball button just a bit, and an Act III subplot that sees Dickerson do something truly evil is just dumb), but there's a real depth and sincerity to the film that makes it really tough to dismiss as "just another Robin Williams rant-fest."” Also, Vietnam aside, the movie comes with a really nice message, and it’s that humor is important, and that laughter can do a whole lot of good. Hard to be tough on a movie with those types of valuable life lessons.

As far as wartime comedies are, “Good Morning, Vietnam” may not be “Dr. Strangelove” or “M.A.S.H.,” but it’s got a lot of respect for the area it talks about, a solid amount of really strong laughs, and a few lost themes of real heart and insight. If you haven’t seen this one in a while, definitely don’t miss the chance to re-watch this movie. Weinberg ended his review by saying, “I think it's a better film today than it was 18 years ago.”

This is definitely one of the funniest movies ever made, and is a classic. How can you not like a movie where Robin Williams was given free range to do whatever he wanted and go off with his improve genius mind? This is one of those movies where it had to be that way, and I highly recommend everyone to see this as it is one of my favorite Robin Williams films.

Look out next week where we look at another classic in “Vietnam War Movies Month.”