Director: Rob Reiner
Starring: Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson and Demi Moore
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood whose movies have earned rave reviews are as beloved as Tom Cruise. Ever since his rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Cruise has appeared in countless memorable movies. With his larger-than-life presence, charisma and strong dedication to performing stunts, Cruise has made a legacy that’s lasting. Cruise’s strength as an actor is his versatility. Whether it’s spies seeking to accomplish impossible missions, war veterans or hitmen causing collateral repercussions, the actor has thrived playing characters in a wide variety of genres. Through his versatility, Cruise has created an enduring legacy in the film industry.
I’m a massive fan of Tom Cruise and adore all the movies which he has made throughout his career. However, few of his films have affected as powerfully as “A Few Good Men”. Released in 1992, Rob Reiner’s movie found the actor playing a righteous lawyer seeking to resolve a case of injustice. Boasting exquisite production-design, sharp storytelling and phenomenal performances, it’s one of the best courtroom dramas that I’ve ever seen. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Tom Cruise, who embodies a righteous lawyer seeking justice. Ultimately, it delivers a strong message about the importance of finding the truth which would resonate with everyone. A captivating courtroom drama, it’s a film about justice which simply demands to be seen.
Based on the famous play, “A Few Good Men” tells the story of a lawyer that investigated a murder at Guantanamo Bay. Tom Cruise stars as Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee, a lawyer that has strong views about injustice. Kaffee’s life forever changes when he is tasked with investigating the murder of U.S. marines at Guantanamo Bay. A complex courtroom case, it forces Kaffee into an uncomfortable situation of confronting the injustice of military which is hard to face. Assisted by Joanne Galloway (Demi Moore), Kaffee seeks to investigate a perplexing case in Guantanamo Bay. Unable to handle the ugly truth, Kaffee questions whether he will be able to resolve a case that’s stressful.
Rob Reiner is a newcomer to courtroom drama movies. Before he directed “A Few Good Men”, Reiner had never directed a courtroom drama in the past before. Reiner was best known for his fantasy movie “The Princess Bride”. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to adapt an iconic play about legal cases on the big-screen, but he pulled it off successfully. Through captivating cinematography, Reiner captures a lawyer on a journey to investigate a courtroom case involving Guantanamo Bay. Reiner successfully uses tradition three point lighting to capture a courtroom case. One appreciates lighting bringing to life a tense courtroom case that’s terrifying. Using this ingenious lighting, Reiner captures hardships faced by lawyers that investigate a case that’s perplexing. Through breathtaking visuals, Reiner constructs a legal drama that’s compelling.
Another amazing aspect of “A Few Good Men” that contributes to its success is the production. For a movie made during the 1990’s, the film has aged incredibly well over time. Reiner’s choice to shoot the movie in a real-life courtroom in America is risky but pays off tremendously. The courtroom setting plays a crucial role in the movie as a way of building tension. For instance, the courtroom setting elevates the interrogation scene. During this unforgettable scene, Daniel Kaffee interrogates a military officer involving in Guantanamo Bay atrocities. One appreciates the real-life setting bringing to life a conflict in courtrooms that’s engaging. Moreover, the musical score is superb. Marc Chaiman’s music captures the tragic hardship faced by lawyers investigating a case that involves panic. Using breathtaking production-design, Reiner captures courtrooms that shine.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “A Few Good Men” is a courtroom drama that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses dramatic monologues to capture lawyers fighting a courtroom case. It isn’t easy to adapt a Broadway play to the big-screen. What works on stage doesn’t always work in movies. However, Aaron Sorkin does a superb job of translating his play on the big-screen. Sorkin expertly uses dramatic monologues to capture lawyers fighting in a courtroom case. For instance, dramatic monologues enhance the confession scene. During this iconic scene, Kaffee interrogates Colonel Jessup on the Code Red leading to the revelation of a shocking truth. One appreciates breathtaking dramatic monologues bringing to life a case which is engaging. Dramatic monologues are tricky techniques. As Robert Mulligan’s “To Kill A Mockingbird” suggested, monologues enhance classic literary adaptations. However, it works tremendously. Through a fantastic screenplay, Reiner captures Guantanamo Bay.
One admires astonishing performances
Tom Cruise delivers one of his greatest career performances as Daniel Kaffee. Cruise earned appreciation for playing heroic aviators which like to feel the need for speed. With “A Few Good Men”, however, he took on his first ever legal role. It isn’t easy to embody the personality of a righteous lawyer which seeks to investigate crimes committed in Guantanamo Bay, but he succeeds. Through spellbinding expressions, Cruise captures the angst, determination and righteous nature of a lawyer seeking to resolve a complex courtroom case involving danger. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the finest movie-stars in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Tom Cruise, the supporting cast is amazing and also worthy of appreciation. Demi Moore is dazzling, capturing bravery of a female lawyer seeking to be respected in a sexist profession where women are seldom treated fairly. Jack Nicholson is fantastic, bringing tension to the movie as a corrupt colonel abusing his position of power to conduct crimes which become the centre of a legal investigation. Lastly, Kevin Bacon merits appreciation. As a smart lawyer seeking justice, he brings gravitas to the movie.
Finally, “A Few Good Men” would achieve the appreciation of everyone for capturing legal cases from a realistic point-of-view. Unlike most legal dramas, it’s one of those rare movies that would appeal to everyone. It discusses universal themes including career, injustice and political corruption that would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with the legal world to appreciate the movie. Despite focusing on courtrooms during the 1990’s, its strong themes resonate with everyone. Therefore, “A Few Good Men” is one of those rare courtroom dramas that everyone would be able to adore.
Fans of Tom Cruise will definitely appreciate “A Few Good Men” and so will movie-goers seeking old-fashioned entertainment. A captivating courtroom drama, it celebrates the legacy of a movie-star with charisma that has become an icon in Cinema
Nearly 30 years following the release of a successful film about lawyers that are unable to handle the truth fighting courtroom cases which are stressful, it’s a phenomenal reminder of a movie-star that thrives when he’s given the opportunities to portray relatable characters with a strong sense of justice whose powerful movies that have stood the test of time will forever hold a place in the hearts of movie-goers which is special.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 