Writer/Director: Oliver Stone
Starring: Tom Cruise, Willem Dafoe and Raymond J. Barry
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors that achieved fame years ago are as beloved as Willem Dafoe. Ever since his recognition in the 1980’s, Dafoe has become a beloved icon. Whether it is detectives inspecting murders, psychotic killers or green goblins, Dafoe has played several characters. Arguably, Dafoe’s finest strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare actors that has always had the talent for stealing the show in supporting roles which have limited screen-time. Even when he isn’t a focus of a movie, Dafoe has often left a lasting impression. Although he is most well-known for his famous role as Green Goblin within the Spider-Man movies, Dafoe has proven he can make engaging movies in every genre. Throughout his long-lasting career, Dafoe has created several memorable movies which are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Dafoe and adore all films he has made in his career. However, “Born on the Fourth of July” is truly my favourite. Released in 1989, Oliver Stone’s iconic film offered a powerful portrait of the Vietnam War. Packed with breathtaking production, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it’s one of the best war movies ever made. At the centre of it all is a bold performance by Willem Dafoe, who embodies a soldier that faces sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “Born on the Fourth of July” a masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most war films, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. A breathtaking masterpiece about the Vietnam War, there are many reasons why “Born on the Fourth of July” is a film that’s worth watching.
Set during the Vietnam War, “Born on the Fourth of July” tells the story of an anti-war activist which experiences an outcry. Tom Cruise portrays Ron Kovic, a heroic veteran dedicated to surviving a war that’s tragic. Kovic has always shown a strong devotion towards serving his nation surviving warfare destruction. However, Kovic’s life drastically changes when he is injured in the war which causes disaster. Paralyzed to a wheelchair, Kovic no longer has chances to participate in warfare. Feeling betrayed by his country, Kovic decides to be an anti-war activist in an attempt to overcome adversity. Assisted by his longtime companion Charlie (Willem Dafoe), Kovic attempts to overcome sorrow. As all odds are stacked against his favour, Kovic questions whether it’s possible for him to be a solider.
Oliver Stone has always been fascinated with the themes of war. A great director, Stone has often made engaging movies about warfare disaster. His iconic movie “Platoon” offered a powerful portrait of a Vietnam war platoon. With “Born on the Fourth of July”, however, Stone crafted his first anti-war drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of soldiers in the Vietnam war facing adversity but he succeeded immensely. Using breathtaking cinematography, Stone captures a soldier with anti-war belief facing tragedy. Evoking Francis Ford Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now”, Stone uses point-of-view shots to capture hardships faced by soldiers. For instance, POV shots enhance the battlefield scene. During this heartfelt scene, Kovic endures warfare destruction that causes his troops to face tension. Through stunning point of view shots, Stone creates a portrait of war that’s compelling. POV shots aren’t simple techniques to use in movies. As Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man” suggested, POV shots elevate comic-book movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Using captivating visuals, Stone captures tensions that Vietnam war soldiers are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Born on the Fourth of July” that merits appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Evoking Michael Cimino’s “The Deer Hunter”, Stone uses sound-design to capture the lives of soldiers that decline. Whether its sounds of bombs exploding or gunfire that’s roaring, Stone uses diegetic sounds to capture the hardships soldiers are facing. For instance. the diegetic sounds enhance the anti-war speech scene. During this haunting scene, Kovic delivers a rousing speech expressing his beliefs against the war. Using diegetic sounds, Stone crafts a portrait of war that’s compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Gabriel Yared’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the burden that Vietnam war soldiers bear. Using stunning production, Stone captures soldiers facing destruction.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Born on the Fourth of July” is a war movie that’s compelling. The film is extremely well written, and expertly uses silence to convey hardships faced by soldiers. Evoking Lewis Milestone’s “All Quiet on the Western Front”, Stone uses silence to capture hardship that is endured by soldiers on the western front. For instance, silence enhances the paralysis scene. During this memorable scene, Kovic becomes aware that he has been paralyzed by the wars in injuries which cause tension. Through silence, Stone creates a portrait of war which audiences relate to. Silence is a complex technique. As Robert Eggers’ “The Lighthouse” suggested, silence enhances period pieces about isolation. Nevertheless, it works tremendously in this film. Through a superb screenplay, Stone captures soldiers in the Vietnam war experiencing a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Willem Dafoe delivers one of his greatest performances as Charlie. Dafoe earned appreciation for playing villains in comic-book movies. With “Born on the Fourth of July”, however, he took on his most tricky role. It isn’t easy to play a soldier facing adversity, but he succeeded immensely. This is the star unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charming and fierce in his most emotional role. Dafoe has often excelled at playing emotional characters under pressure, and “Born on the Fourth of July” showcased his strengths as an actor. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, fear and grief of a commemorated soldier enduring tensions. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most commemorated actors that is working today.
While the movie is a stunning showcase for Willem Dafoe, the supporting cast is also spectacular and deserving of appreciation. Tom Cruise is terrific, capturing the views of an anti-war activist seeking to cope with a war in headline news. Raymond J. Barry is brilliant, capturing misery of a father that struggles to protect his son from warfare causing adversity. Lastly, Stephen Baldwin is spectacular. As a tormented soldier, he is unforgettable.
Finally, “Born on the Fourth of July” would earn appreciation of everyone for capturing soldiers with a high likelihood to die. Unlike most movies about the Vietnam war, the film discusses strong themes that everyone will relate to. It discusses strong themes such as ambition, mental health and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Viewers are not required to be familiar with the history of the Vietnam war to appreciate it. Therefore, “Born on the Fourth of July” is one of those rare war movies that everyone will definitely adore.
Fans of Willem Dafoe would definitely enjoy “Born on the Fourth of July” and so would movie-goers seeking tense entertainment. A powerful war drama, it celebrates an actor with charisma.
Nearly 40 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about a Vietnam war soldier born on the fourth of July, it’s a bold reminder of a commemorated actor that’s gained a huge fan following by his talent for creating memorable movies which haven’t lost abilities to satisfy.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 