Casualties of War (1989)

 Casualties of War (1989)

In Brian De Palma’s first film since The Untouchables, Casualties of War is a harrowing war movie about a true event that took place during the Vietnam War. Up to this point, most Vietnam War movies such as Platoon or The Deer Hunter were lighter stories about male camaraderie and the inner workings of lifelong bonding in the platoons. De Palma, instead, used the horror imagery he is known for and created a realistic yet terrifying movie about evil deeds men commit just to satisfy their sexual desires. The military is painted in a much darker light by De Palma compared to other military films yet is still criticized for adding additional scenes that take away the potency of the actual story. Like many of De Palma’s films, the emotion is relied upon the strengths of the actors. Sean Penn and Michael J. Fox do deliver big-time in eliciting genuine emotion from the audience. At least for me. I was disturbed, angry, and incredibly sad at the events that occurred. Yet, De Palma and his band of actors kept me enthralled until the very end. The rape/murder scene is one of the most heartbreaking scenes I have seen in any movie.

The story is based on legitimate events that took place during the Vietnam War. Daniel Lang wrote a detailed expose in The New Yorker in 1969 that immediately grabbed the world’s attention. He published a book months later. A film was made about the events in 1970 which caused all kinds of controversy and even shut down the Berlin Film Festival. A decade later, playwright David Rabe approached De Palma who was interested in making the movie but couldn’t find the necessary funds. After the success of The Untouchables, De Palma was given the green light. Rabe, who wrote the script, later disassociated himself from the picture because he felt the director veered too far from the script.

A young infantryman by the name of Eriksson (Michael J. Fox) lands in Vietnam and is assigned to a platoon of veterans. The platoon is led by Sergeant Meserve (Sean Penn). Meserve has the ability to be a great leader as he is strong and violent. During a long reconnaissance mission, Meserve, Eriksson, and three other men kidnap a young Vietnamese woman (Thuy Thu Le) to satisfy their sexual needs. Eriksson, the only man with morals, is appalled and refuses to take part of the rape/murder of this innocent woman. He tells the proper chain of command, but Eriksson learns that might have been the wrong thing to do.

Sean Penn gives a performance that is raw, destructive, and captivating. He delivers with such gusto, it is very easy to see why anyone would be intimidated. Penn knows how to play characters that do not have a soul. Michael J. Fox is the film’s moral center but something highly different from his Back to the Future roles. He can deliver an Oscar-caliber performance when time calls. I honestly felt bad for his character. He did the right thing yet punished. The men who committed the acts of atrocities were practically given a slap on the wrist in response. Very infuriating. Thuy Thu Le was an excellent find. I am surprised she has not been in more movies. The movie marks the film debuts for John C. Reilly and John Leguizamo. Both were effective in their roles especially Leguizamo as Diaz, the soldier who was supposed to have a conscience, but the power of Penn took ahold of him.

Casualties of War is a powerful film that needs to be seen. Yet upon release, the film bombed. Previous movies that focused on the Vietnam War were brotherhood movies which this is not. The dark subject matter could have kept people away. De Palma used his horror background to effectively convey the horrors of war. People have the tendency to go too far as these men have proved. Not only in this instance, but many times over the course of history. Some scenes are brutal to watch, but they grab you and keep you. It helps that Ennio Morricone crafted another beautiful score. War movie fans will be happy with the amount of action and war violence. Underneath that violence is a whole myriad of complex issues that De Palma effectively tackles. My only nitpick? The ending, where Michael J. Fox talks to an Asian woman on the train out of guilt, just seems so forced. Not the greatest of endings.

My Grade: A-