Tom Cruise remains an enigma to me. His performance was just outstanding here...or was it? Was it the writing, the subject matter, or the camera work? Let's give him the benefit of the doubt...if that's the case it's a reminder to us all that Tom Cruise may be some strange religious fanatic, he may represent the worst in most of us, but he's not Hitler, and I will admit he heightened the experience of this movie for me.
Based on Ronny Kovic, Vietnam veteran who goes on to become a major anti-war voice in America, it brings you into a family and individual struggle based on metaphysical questions related to paralysis from the result of a war injury.
I had tears streaming down my cheeks; just choked the hell up. "Who will love me?" Tom Cruise, playing Ronny Kovic screams as he reflects on an emasculating bar experience where he's reminded of his non-functional twig and berries. And the momentum by the final protest scene at the '72 RNC in Miami is staggering. Ronny and a group of disabled vets stream into the RNC as reporters and delegates swarm them. Eventually they are thrown outside in part by betrayal from an operative posing as a vet, but return to fight as tear gas, police in riot gear, and righteous civilians pose a battle on the streets.
Why see this movie? Because it's beautiful cinema and a beautiful story, and it could inspire you in part to support our veterans more thru charity or volunteer work, become more fervently anti-war as I now have, write a letter to your senator, or god knows how many thousands of positive outcomes that all have a powerful and necessary impact on our country.
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