Casualties of War (1989)

Lt. Reilly: "You can't expect any different in the combat zone. Is that clear?"

By Brian De Palma
With Michael J. Fox, Sean Penn and Don Harvey

I think I heard about Casualties of War from my parents maybe because it was on television or because they watched it or simply while I was looking for movies.

After a tormented night in the war of Vietnam where Sgt. Meserve saves Eriksson's life, the squad is quietly resting in a little village when their friend Brown is shot. When the squad comes back to base they are allowed one day of leave and given a new soldier to replace Brown. They drink heavily and decide to visit the local brothel but they are denied access which irritates the sergeant Meserve so much that he decides that they will leave early for duty the day after, pass by a village, kidnap a girl and use her as a sex slave during their mission. While some soldiers don't believe they will really do it, the sergeant, helped by the caporal Clark proceed and kidnap a girl. Eriksson has moral issues with such activities and let the others know but it puts him in opposition of the leader of the squad and could have heavy consequences.

As with many of Vietnam wars movies of the 80's, this grim painting of the war is scary and seems quite realistic. We once again see men transformed by war and violence to reveal their true nature. They are all really young and have seen a lot of horrors already. This feeling is omnipresent and the first part of the movie sets the mood in a really well crafted way. The facts are pretty dark, especially considering it is based on true events. There are a lot of moral dilemmas exposed and we don't have much choice but to see their consequences.

There are some explosions and machine gun firing to remind us that we are in a war with opponents, but the war depicted here is mostly internal. The behavior of those who disagree, those who don't dare to disagree and those who can't wait to disobey. The army appears as a scary machine that swallow youths whole. In its ideology, the movie flourishes beautifully. However, it appears quite sketchy at times, for example with the idea of telling it through a flashback. Or the quick trial which comes almost as a surprise. Sean Penn does what he does best which is play screw loose violent characters with emotions.

I liked: Powerful war story. Group and army behaviors are scrutinized.

I disliked: The violence seems to have no answer. Builds up well and wraps up hastily.

72/100
Definitely not an easy movie but a worthy experience. Looks like Rescue Dawn (2006) meets Platoon (1986) but lacks that extra thing to make it as memorable as these two.