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Casualties of War (1989)

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No Score Yet...

Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 2
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 1

audience

70

liked it
Average Rating: 3.4/5
User Ratings: 20,978

My Rating

Movie Info

Casualties of War was based on a New Yorker article by Daniel Lang. This, in turn, was inspired by a true incident which illustrated the dehumanizing aspects of the Vietnam experience. Michael J. Fox plays Eriksson, a member of an American squadron stationed in the deepest jungles of Southeast Asia. Sean Penn co-stars as Meserve, the squadron sergeant, who vows revenge after his best friend is killed. He orders his men to invade a village and "requisition" a young Vietnamese girl (Thuy Thu Lee),

R,

Drama, Action & Adventure

Daniel Lang, David Rabe

Dec 11, 2001

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

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All Critics (39) | Top Critics (8) | Fresh (27) | Rotten (5) | DVD (14)

This Vietnam War saga, inspired by a true story, is among De Palma's better pictures, devoid of his usual gimmicry and cynicism.

April 23, 2011 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com
EmanuelLevy.Com

It's a fat glop of obvious screen manipulation that preserves a frightening human core, making the life and death struggle all the more shocking.

August 26, 2009 Full Review Source: BrianOrndorf.com
BrianOrndorf.com

De Palma uses his consummate filmmaking skill to craft a reflection of his own grave sorrow about the Vietnam era.

September 6, 2006 Full Review Source: Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine

Fox is quite touching here, topped only by Sean Penn in a superb, frightening performance.

August 28, 2006 Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid
Combustible Celluloid

Disturbing anti-war film with strong Sean Penn and surprisingly effective Michael J. Fox.

June 8, 2006
Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers

Casualties of War has a dramatic power that makes it worth watching, despite it's considerable flaws.

April 22, 2006 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis
Movie Metropolis

ably demonstrates just how powerful a well-crafted film can be

March 4, 2006 Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com
Filmcritic.com

A tour-de-force for De Palma, Penn and Fox - possibly one of the best war movies ever made

February 25, 2006 Full Review Source: Film Threat
Film Threat

Worthwhile drama set in the Vietnam War

December 17, 2004
Film Journal International

Harrowing drama with strong performances

October 7, 2004
Kalamazoo Gazette

Examines the dehumanizing effects of war, and implies that the soldiers who commit the atrocities are as much a victim of that dehumanization as the girl who they victimize

March 19, 2003 Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com
eFilmCritic.com

Audience Reviews for Casualties of War

Based on actual events, this is a gripping examination of of a squad of soldiers who find themselves heavily embroiled in the moral quagmire of the Vietnam War.
ed
PFC Eriksson (Michael J. Fox) is an idyllic soldier new to the territory. He's soldiering with a squad of hardened men lead by the young but volatile Sgt. Tony Meserve (Sean Penn). After Meserve's best friend is killed, he vows revenge. Part of that process involves going to a village to kidnap a girl whom he belives is allied with the VC. His intention is to use her as "mobile R & R". Eriksson is horrified by this, but is outvoted, and looks on in horror and disgust as his squad (which includes debuts from John C. Reilly and John Leguizamo) brutally treats, rapes, then kills the girl.

Despite risk of severe retaliation, and the indifference of his superiors (Ving Rhames and Dale Dye), Eriksson is determined to bring his fellow soldiers to justice.

It seems inevitable that most if not all of the New Hollywood directors have made a war film, specifically one concerning Vietnam. This is Brian DePalma's entry in that category, and, it's quite good.

It lacks a lot of his overt cynicism and gimmickry, focusing instead on heavy themes and character. Don't get me wrong, there's some great camera work, a wonderful look, and a strong score from Ennio Morricone, but this is mostly a showcase from DePalma playing it straight. There's nothing wrong with that either, because it's a pretty solid film.

Yes, the film does get a little too sappy and sentimental towards the end, maybe a bit too feel good, bt it's mostly earned. Also, Fox is quite compelling and convincing, but I think he was perhaps too pure of a character. He's still good though, and really sympathetic. As good as he is though, he of course gets overshadowed by Sean Penn. Penn, as expected is fiercely intense, unhinged, and memorable. The aforementioned supporters are all pretty decent, too, giving hints of greater things to come.

All in all, this is a really good film, and you should check it out. Yeah, it is flawed, but even then it's still pretty worthwhile.
August 21, 2012
cosmo313
Chris Weber

Super Reviewer

Imagine A Clockwork Orange in vietnam, a shocking and tense war film. The most serious picture with Michael J. Fox. Casualties of War is also one of the best DePalma's moments.
March 19, 2012
Lucas Martins

Super Reviewer

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