Good Morning, Vietnam

1987

Good Morning, Vietnam

Critics Consensus

A well-calibrated blend of manic comedy and poignant drama, Good Morning, Vietnam offers a captivating look at a wide range of Robin Williams' cinematic gifts.

90%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 41

82%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 131,345

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Movie Info

The film begins in 1965, when disc jockey Adrian Cronauer (Robin Williams) is assigned to take over the AFR's Saigon radio broadcasts. In contrast to the dull, by-rote announcers that have preceded him, Cronauer is a bundle of dynamite, heralding each broadcast with a loud "Goooooood morning, Vietnaaaaam," playing whatever records tickle his fancy (even those not officially sanctioned by his hidebound superiors), and indulging in wild flights of improvisational fancy. Cronauer's immediate superior Lt. Hauk (Bruno Kirby), whose own notions of humor are puerile and pathetic, jealously attempts to dethrone Vietnam's favorite rock jock. Fortunately, Cronauer's popularity is such that he enjoys the full protection of the higher-ups. But when Cronauer, after experiencing the horrors of war first-hand, insists upon telling his listeners the truth instead of the official government line, he is instantly replaced by the unfunny Hauk and must struggle to get back on the air.
  • Rating:
    R
  • Genre:
    Comedy, Drama
  • Directed By:
    Barry Levinson
  • Written By:
    Mitch Markowitz
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Buena Vista Pictures

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Cast

Robin Williams
as Adrian Cronauer
Forest Whitaker
as Edward Garlick
Bruno Kirby
as Lt. Steven Hauk
J.T. Walsh
as Sgt. Major Dickerson
Tung Thanh Tran
as Tuan
Chintara Sukapatana
as Trinh
Robert Wuhl
as Marty Lee Dreiwitz
Noble Willingham
as Gen. Taylor
Richard Edson
as Pvt. Abersold
Juney Smith
as Phil McPherson, Radio Engineer
Richard Portnow
as Dan `The Man' Levitan
Floyd Vivino
as Eddie Kirk
Cu Ba Nguyen
as Jimmy Wah, saloon owner
Dan R. Stanton
as Censor
Danny Aiello
as MP
Don E. Stanton
as Censor
Louis DiGiaimo
Danny Aiello III
as MP
John Marshall Jones
as MP
Marie Rowe
James McIntire
as Sergeants at Jimmy Wah's
Don Stanton
as Censor #2
Peter Mackenzie
as Sergeants at Jimmy Wah's
Tim O'Hare
as Convoy Soldier
John Goyer
as Convoy Soldier
Louis Hood
as Convoy Soldier
Christopher Mangan
as Convoy Soldier
Kenneth Pitochelli
as Convoy Soldier
Jonathan MacLeod
as Convoy Soldier
Greg Knight
as Convoy Soldier
Ralph Tabakin
as Chaplain Noel
Sangad Sangkao
as Viet Cong Leaders in Jungle
Vanlap Sangkao
as Viet Cong Leaders in Jungle
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Critic Reviews for Good Morning, Vietnam

All Critics (41) | Top Critics (5)

  • From the start, the film bowls you over with excitement and for those who can latch on, it's a nonstop ride.

    Oct 18, 2008 | Full Review…

    Variety Staff

    Variety
    Top Critic

  • Offering only hackneyed insights into the war, the film makes for stodgy drama. But Williams' manic monologues behind the mike are worth anybody's money.

    Feb 9, 2006 | Full Review…

    Geoff Andrew

    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • Make no mistake about it: Mr. Williams's performance, though it's full of uproarious comedy, is the work of an accomplished actor. ''Good Morning, Vietnam'' is one man's tour de force.

    May 20, 2003 | Rating: 4/5

    Vincent Canby

    New York Times
    Top Critic

  • It hardly delivers on the promise of giving us the pure, undiluted Williams -- Williams at his best. What's more, it's not even close to being his best movie. It's not even close to being good.

    Jan 1, 2000 | Full Review…

    Hal Hinson

    Washington Post
    Top Critic

  • Robin Williams was finally given a showcase for his extraordinary improvisational skills in this, the first comedy set in Vietnam.

    Jul 26, 2017 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
    TV Guide

  • The film is distinctive for being Hollywood's first Vietnam comedy and among the first movies to treat the Vietnamese themselves as real people.

    Jul 26, 2017 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Peter Freedman

    Radio Times
View All Critic Reviews (41)

Audience Reviews for Good Morning, Vietnam

  • Apr 28, 2017
    Every once and a while there's a role that was made for a certain actor. This was, in my mind, Robin William's perfect fit. I am sure the movie would have been fine with some other actor, but this movie is defined by William's marvelous performance. This is a war dramedy, exploring some of the hardest moments humanity can create through the lens of comedy. This is a terribly difficult subject matter to navigate well in this medium. Robin William's manic, almost childlike, energy is the perfect fit for this movie. It is a showcase of a man who can face darkness with hope, energy and joy. I have the benefit, or burden perhaps, or writing this review after Mr. William's tragic death. It's so ominous how this movie was the man. A flash of when the medium of entertainment goes beyond its purpose. You can see it in every scene, a veneer of relentless positive energy as the world around them goes to hell. Good Morning Vietnam provides a wonderful excursion into the history of this war, with a rich emotional payoff in the end. The movie is really just a canvass for Robin William's to explore, and he takes advantage of every inch.
    Shane S Super Reviewer
  • May 01, 2016
    Another film I have never seen in its entirety. Robin Williams is just superb and shows the world the comedic genius that he is. Happily this doesn't detract from a larger story about the morality of the Vietnam war.
    Ian W Super Reviewer
  • Apr 01, 2015
    Robin Williams is the heart and soul of everything this film is, finding a perfect balance between his frantic comedy and weighted dramatics. If you're going to watch 'Good Morning Vietnam', you're going to watch it for Robin Williams and Robin Williams alone.
    Kase V Super Reviewer
  • Jun 25, 2014
    Adrian Cronauer is on the air in the comedic drama Good Morning, Vietnam. Set in 1965 Saigon, the Army attempts to keep up troop morale by bringing in a maverick airman named Adrian Cronauer to DJ on the Armed Forces Radio, but before long Cronauer starts to butt heads with his commanders over what he can and cannot do on the airwaves. Robin Williams leads the cast and gives a tremendous performance. However, the script is rather aimless, as it sets up a lot of interesting issues and themes that never get explored. While Good Morning, Vietnam provides a unique perspective on the war, it doesn't really know where it wants to go with it.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
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