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Mona CharenOur second Civil War isn't over yetThis month, two movies have arrived treating our two historical civil wars. The good film, “Glory,” is about the Civil Warhphvppn 1 RfiO and — the onpwe’ve gained some perspective on. The abominable film, “Born on the Fourth of July,” is about the civil war which divided us between 1966 and 1973 - the war overthe war in Vietnam.Oliver Stone, the creator of “Platoon,” seems determined to ensure that we keep fighting that second battle. “Born on the Fourth of July” is not so much a movie as a two-and-a-half-hour tantrum. It didn’t seem possible, in the current climate of Hollywood, to plumb new depths of obscenity and depravity, but Oliver Stone is a submariner of the human condition, comfortable inmuck others cannot reach.His own view of this enterpriseis not hard to guess (even for those who didn’t see his interview describing America as “fascist”).One knows, while watching the vomit, the blood, the bulging intestines protruding from bodies, and the bones sticking through skin, that Mr. Stone has persuaded himself that this is a stunning anti-war statement.It is not. If Stone wants to knowhow a truly moving anti-war film is made, he ought to see “Johnny Got His Gun, ” the story of a World War One soldier whose arms and legs were blown off. It is a totally non-violent, yet overpoweringfilm.But Mr Stone loves violence.Why else would he let the camera linger on it so lasciviously? “Born on the Fourth of July” is the true story of Vietnam veteran Ron Kovic, an embittered paraplegic. Kovic himself co wrote the screenplay -- which demonstrates that his grasp of four-letter words is a great deal more advanced than his understanding of politics, history, or himself.But then, no one should confuse this film with history. Stone and Kovics America is not one most will recognize. It is a place where nice young men are brainwashed into signing up for the military services, only to be sent to killwomen and babies The character of Hon Kovic, as played by Tom Cruise, is so despicable - so choking in self-pity and venom - that it is difficult to sympathize with his misfortune. That is Stone's first mistake He clearly intends for us to pity Kovic as the innocent who is betrayed by the power structure But it doesn’thold together None of the horrors Kovic experienced in Vietnam, or in the Vet erans hospital afterward, shook his faith in the righteousness of the war. It was his treatment upon returning home which embitteredhim.That the treatment of returning veterans was shameful is not in dispute It s just ironic to see it decried bv Oliver Stone. For who►but the anti war zealots of the 60s was responsible for the maltreatment of returning veterans^ It was they who branded our soldiers war criminals. And Oliver Stone in this very film is perpetuating the libel which caused the veterans so much suffering.The marriage of Hon Kovic and Oliver Stone is one sealed in mutual hatred for America - a hatred which has distorted their moral compass A key scene in the film, and one must presume in real life, concerns the accidental shooting of a fellow American soldier by Kovic He reports the killing to his commanding officer, who supposedly tells him to shutup and get back to work.Years later, Kovic, by then a modestly famous opponent of the war, travels to the home of the man he shot He sits down with the poor, rural family - father, mother, young widow and small ctiiid Uii ii ulltn Hit* soldier's death - and hears about the long military tradition in which the family takes pride. Their son, they proudly but sadly relate, was heroic and died honorably in the service of hiscountryAnd then Kovic tells them the truth.That was no anti war gesture -that was pure sadism. It is clear that Mr Kovics suffering has disfigured him in spirit as well as in body What’s Oliver Stone s excuse* VIhhu hjrt n /• j i an.m ur;/ utiaiothuitam n ing in U /’(/■-ttnirj U jiJr in theW J fRtj^jn jJmiui itrjtt' 1' ruun n M\n .injllrnr) j ,;v , lt;/ in'lu
Newspaper Details
Blytheville Courier News
Blytheville, Arkansas, US
Tue, Jan 23, 1990
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Jon C.
NJ, USA 17 Jan 2020
Other Publications Near Blytheville, Arkansas
Blytheville Army Air Corps News
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