This is another little known movie, otherwise I believe it would rate an easy 7+.
Very loosely based on a true story, it tells about American GIs finding & bringing an elephant to a small village during 'Nam.
The cast is exceptional - Liota, Glover, & Leary embody their characters perfectly.
Leary does a great job as the conceited req officer who has really put himself out blackmailed into this journey. Liota puts his ability to express anger to excellent use here, somewhere between a gung-ho soldier & learning a lot really quickly, as well as showing humility as he is often the butt of jokes or events. Glover portrays an easy going nature having spent time to understand his surroundings & survival on a human level.
The other two guys are perfect comedy relief as the quirky helpers of the mission. The child Lin is perfectly cast - an amazing little actor - as the elephant's handler & the elephant being really his only remaining family.
The dialogue is witty & funny. As each scene unfolds you can hardly wait to see what happens next and how they're going to pull off this unlikely venture in the middle of a war.
I dont understand the reviews that blast the idea of this family-friendly dramedy showing an rather non-violent event during the Vietnam war. People, and at least one elephant do get killed in this movie - no, it's not egregiously bloody & violent.
If you liked M*A*S*H - you'll love this. It's a perfect combination of wit & drama, humor & tragedy, a unique story with a great cast executing it perfectly. Direction & locations were excellent.
Just greatly entertaining.
I wore this movie out on VHS - probably will wear out the DVD. Rewatch it at least once a year.
Very loosely based on a true story, it tells about American GIs finding & bringing an elephant to a small village during 'Nam.
The cast is exceptional - Liota, Glover, & Leary embody their characters perfectly.
Leary does a great job as the conceited req officer who has really put himself out blackmailed into this journey. Liota puts his ability to express anger to excellent use here, somewhere between a gung-ho soldier & learning a lot really quickly, as well as showing humility as he is often the butt of jokes or events. Glover portrays an easy going nature having spent time to understand his surroundings & survival on a human level.
The other two guys are perfect comedy relief as the quirky helpers of the mission. The child Lin is perfectly cast - an amazing little actor - as the elephant's handler & the elephant being really his only remaining family.
The dialogue is witty & funny. As each scene unfolds you can hardly wait to see what happens next and how they're going to pull off this unlikely venture in the middle of a war.
I dont understand the reviews that blast the idea of this family-friendly dramedy showing an rather non-violent event during the Vietnam war. People, and at least one elephant do get killed in this movie - no, it's not egregiously bloody & violent.
If you liked M*A*S*H - you'll love this. It's a perfect combination of wit & drama, humor & tragedy, a unique story with a great cast executing it perfectly. Direction & locations were excellent.
Just greatly entertaining.
I wore this movie out on VHS - probably will wear out the DVD. Rewatch it at least once a year.