The true story of Ron Kovic, a soldier who became an anti-war
political activist after he was paralyzed in the Vietnam War. BIOPIC/DRAMA/WAR
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Born on the Fourth of July (1989)Directed by Oliver Stone
Written by Oliver Stone and Ron Kovic Starring Tom Cruise, Kyra Sedgwick, Frank Whaley, Willem Dafoe, Jerry Levine, Raymond J. Barry, Caroline Kava Based on the book by Ron Kovic Oscar Wins - Best Director, Best Film Editing Oscar Nominations - Best Picture, Best Actor (Tom Cruise), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Mixing, Best Original Score (John Williams) |
Born on the Fourth of July is easily Tom Cruise's finest hour. Helmed by Oliver Stone and co-written by Ron Kovic himself, this film details the incredible journey of one man who realized that his country had betrayed him.
The horrors of the Vietnam War are lost on most of us and Oliver Stone does a great job of reminding his audience how morally gray the war really was. Ron Kovic was just one of many soldiers who lost everything to the war and Tom Cruise did a flawless job of showing Kovic's war-torn, hopeless psyche, while at the same time reminding us that he was not ready to give up. This film is one of the best anti-war films I've ever seen, and it deserves praise for its realistic depiction of the cruel treatment of Vietnam veterans. Kovic was a brave soul in a time where to be brave meant to be called out as a traitor and it's good to know there are heroes out there like him. |