Born on the Fourth of July

"And behind closed eyes I cannot make them go away
'cause you were born on the 4th of July (freedom ring)". These lyrics from the Jason Mraz song, The Remedy are exactly how I feel about the film Born on the Fourth of July; I cannot get the images out of my head. The true story of Ron Kovic mainly focus on the after effects of the Vietnam war. The begins in his childhood and follows him through his tour of duty in the war and ends in his adult life. The audience watchs as Kovics character, played by Tom Cruise, changes and develops.

Kovic, a young boy at the beginning of the film, watches as war veterans walk in the Fourth of July parade in his town. These are the men that he grows to idolize. Joining the marines in his mid teens, he is congratulated by his many peers, each proud of his devotion to his country. During Ron’s tour in Vietnam, he is involved in many traumatic experiences; such as witnessing a village of innocents being killed, shooting an American soldier in the midst of chaos, and being shot himself.

                Setting was very important in this film. Ron comes from a very suburban, middle-class neighborhood filled with many war veterans. This neighborhood is where he is recruited to be a soldier in the war. Soldiers giving a presentation in the school gym was very common during the time period and including this made the film that very realistic. The scenes in Vietnam were very effective portraying acts of war that were very realistic. For example, many soldiers were killed by men from their own side, this was called friendly fire. During a shootout it became very confusing and sides became unclear. I also found the hospital scene to be very effective, it shows the disturbing events that made many men mentally unstable after the war.

                The film was very gory which made it hard to watch. This was due to the effectivness of the costumes and make-up. These elements were effective in showing the change in Kovic’s character. In the beginning of his army life he was very well put together. Gradually throughout the film he becomes less and less attractive completely letting himself go. Kovic's hair, as well as facial hair, is not cut. Costume and make-up was also very effective in the scene in which Ron brakes his leg and the bone pops out. Although I couldn’t stand to watch the scene, the make-up was incredible and amazingly realistic.

                The movie was too gory for my eyes, but was a pretty good depiction of the after-effects of the Vietnam War. I give the movie and overall 7 out of 10.