Cruise is the young athlete Ron Kovic, an idealistic and patriotic American who joins the Marines to fight in the Vietnam War. When he gets there, his brash eagerness is diluted by horror when he accidentally kills one of his own men. The pains in his heart are compounded by a bullet wound that leaves him paralyzed from the chest down. Returning home, he steadfastly clings to his national spirit, which puts him in conflict with the populace's growing aversion to the mess in Vietnam. He winds up in Mexico as a tormented drunkard, then reforms and becomes an anti-Vietnam activist, writing the autobiographical book on which this movie is based.

This movie is tremendously powerful because of its acute historical significance, strong anti-war message, and Tom Cruise's stunning acting. The movie is sad and wrenching, but it ends with an uplifting note of someone who rises above the pain and hate to a stronger condition. This is Oliver Stone's best film, I think. I also love the score by John Williams; the movie's theme does an incredible job evoking the feelings behind some of America's most painful years.


Best Darn Movie I have ever seen   May 10, 2001
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I loved the color in this movie and the superior acting. You haven't lived until you have seen Tom Cruise in Born On The Fourth Of July. There are no words to express the incredible viewing experience this movie provides.


"Fourth" Sparkles and Fizzles   April 21, 2001
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

"Born on the Fourth of July" is a metaphor for America's transformation from an idealistic nation to a cynical and fragmented society. And we see this transformation through the eyes of the film's tragic hero, Ron Kovic, who changes from an all-American, gung ho Marine wannabe to a cynical, embittered paralyzed Viet Nam vet.

The primary strength of this film is its ability to draw you into Kovic's world. You feel Kovic's sense of bitterness and betrayal when he comes home to find that America is now a hostile and divided nation and that veterans like him are not welcome. If anything, they're scorned for having fought in Viet Nam.

Another strength of this film is Oliver Stone's use of foreshadowing. The night before Kovic leaves for boot camp, Kovic runs through a rainstorm to be with his girl at the senior prom. As they dance, Henry Mancini's "Moon River" plays in the background and in watching this scene, one gets a sense of foreboding that this will be the last time Kovic and his girl friend will ever share such an intimate moment.

While "Born on the Fourth of July" has its merits, it also has some glaring shortcomings. Namely, it's an uneven film that requires the viewer to "fill in the blanks." Throughout the film, Stone gives the viewer an overview of Ron Kovic's life and how he changed from an idealistic high school student-athlete to a radical anti-war activist. However, the audience is forced to draw their own conclusions as to how, when and why this change occurred.

Stone also plays fast-and-loose with the truth in this film and he seems more intent on making a political statement rather than a biographical docu-drama. As other commentators have pointed out, Kovic never was a demonstrator at the 1972 Republican Convention. While this bit of fiction serves to promote Stone's political views, it's also self-defeating as it undermines the film's credibility.

"Born on the Fourth of July" is something of a revisionist film that also tends to be rather sanctimonious at times. Yet, for all its shortcomings, "Born on the Fourth of July" is a powerful, evocative film that will play with your emotions.


Tom Cruise comes out fighting   March 28, 2001
 0 out of 1 found this review helpful

True story depicts how high school student Ron Kovic (Tom Cruise) wants nothing more than to join the Marines and serve his country. Despite discouragement from family and friends, he enlists after graduation and is shipped off to Vietnam. While in combat he makes a horrible mistake, and his resulting lack of vision leads to his being wounded. Ron is left paralyzed from the chest down, and returns home in a state of bitterness. His body mends far ahead of his mind, and his resulting disillusionment with the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam war leads to his becoming an antiwar activist. Vivid recreation of the 1960's war movement with a stellar performance by Cruise. Every proud American should own this film, which is more rewarding with each viewing.


A Must See For All Americans   December 3, 2000
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Tom Cruise gives one of his all-time best performances as Ron Kovik, a young man who joins the marines fresh out of high school with ideas of grabbing his piece in history by participating in the Vietnam War and keeping with his families' tradition of military service. In Vietnam he discovers that war is not as it seems, that innocent people are murdered needlessly everyday and , he himself, is guilty of theses same crimes. While in Vietnam, he is wounded in a firefight with the Viet Cong, which results in paralysis from the chest down. He is sent to a veteran's hospital that is in deplorable condition, trying in vain to regain use of his legs. Eventually Ron realizes he is to be bound to a wheelchair for life, and he returns to his family's home. However, upon return he finds that things have changed and he believes his (and other veteran's) sacrifices have gone largely unnoticed and his personality becomes bleak and angry, as his condition haunts him and sends him into alcoholism and depression. Like so many other unfortunate veterans, Ron has returned home to a commuity that neither recognizes nor appreciates his sacrifices and, as often happened in that case, he lost his sense of purpose in life. With little visible support, Ron decides to get away and head to Mexico, where he will hit bottom but in doing so, he finds himself again and returns home to eventually find his sens of self. The movie itself it excellent but it is not for children, as it deals with an intense subject: the loss of innocence and the attempt to regain some sense of life in a world which seemingly does not acknowledge Ron's existence. Cruise's performance hits home and probably has struck a nerve with most veterans, as they realize how hard it must be to adapt back to society after taking part in a war that stripped him physically and emotionally. I wish teachers would show this movie to students in High School so they can have a deeper understanding of what war is like and the psychological effects it has, and always will have, on our veterans. It will awaken you to a subject that America has tried to sweep up under the rug: the heroes of wars past who went to a foreign country to fight for Americans and freedom, only to return home and find that we wouldnt extend our thanks and acceptance towards them. Too many times we feel that it is an expected behavior for a soldier to go and fight, but many today dont understand soldiers feel pain, Ron Kovik felt pain and you will share that pain in Born On the Fourth Of July.