A FEW GOOD MEN

US, 1992, 138 minutes, Colour.
Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore, Kevin Bacon, Keifer Sutherland, Kevin Pollak, J.T.Walsh, Christopher Guest.
Directed by Rob Reiner.

A Few Good Men was nominated for an Oscar for Best Film of 1992 and Jack Nicholson received a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his role as Colonel Jessup. The film was directed by Rob Reiner, the comedian from All in the Family, whose film directing is in diverse genres ranging from Stand by Me, The Sure Thing, Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, Misery, North, The American President, Ghosts of Mississippi.

The film was based on the Broadway play by Aaron Sorkin and has been adapted well for the screen. There are echoes of such classics as The Caine Mutiny court Martial. The film relies on tense court room sequences and the lawyers preparing for the trial.

Tom Cruise is the very preppie-like Defence Counsel. Demi Moore is his assistant. A strong supporting caste includes Kevin Bacon as Prosecutor, Kiefer Sutherland as an intense lieutenant, J.T. Walsh as an ex-CIA military man.

The film is stylishly made, relies on strong dialogue, on the intensity of the characters, especially that played by Jack Nicholson. It indicates how popular the court-room drama always is.

1. A piece of Americana, the Marine Services, court-room drama, investigations, law and justice.

2. The original plan, retaining dialogue and characters and confrontations, opened out for sequences in Cuba and in the City of Washington DC? The Guantanamo Base? The songs and the score?

3. The title, the focus on Marine honour, American honour?

4. The opening with the Guantanamo Marine Base, its atmosphere, on Cuba? Private Santiago and the attack on him in his room, the two Privates, the violence, his death? The audience judging what had happened? The later flashbacks, Santiago's medical history, the two Privates and the command by Kendrick, looking again at what had happened, the further evidence and information from the trial and their questioning?

5. The officials of Washington, discussions about the Court Martial, authorities, pre-judgment? The decision to choose Daniel Kaffee and his reputation, his father? The assignment and their expectations? Jo Galloway and her wanting to be part of the trial, the hopes, pushing herself? Her attitudes towards Kaffee, antagonistic towards him? Sam Wynberg, his efficiency, his work as assistant?

6. The visit to the Base, the basic information, Kendrick and his style, upright, honour, God and religion? The interview with Colonel Jessup, his command, his smooth way of talking, his expectations of himself, promotion? Attitudes towards the Cubans? Honour, his men and their loyalty? The interview with Markinson? The alternate information? The hostility of people at the base, the introduction of themes of codes, code read, honour, threats and response?

7. The opening credits, the marines in drill, codes and
expectations, the background of the code read, its execution, cover-ups, lies and motivation, the changing of records - especially flights out of the Base?

8. The trio of investigators, their plan, decisions about guilt or not? Friendship with Jack Ross, the offer of deals, his prosecution? The effect of the visit to Cuba, the interrogations of the privates on each of the three investigators?

9. The court-room sequences, skills, Kaffee and his smart manner, the clashes with Jo, Wynberger and his support, research, interpretation, Kaffee's change of attitude, the drink, the talk with Jo? New heart and the decision about guilty or not guilty?

10. The presentation of the evidence, Ross's interpretation and prosecution, Kendrick and the cross examination, his religious motivation and self assertion? Dawson and Downey in the Box, their evidence, the discussions with the investigators and the lawyers? Their attitude towards code read, gradual revelation of the truth?

11. Kaffee and Jo unravelling the mystery, the truth? Santiago and his condition, antagonism towards him and the Base, being packed and ready to go, the tidiness of his room, the plane flights and the records? The question of orders - verbal and non-verbal?

12. The interviews with Markinson, the possibility of his giving testimony, his past and the relationship with Jessup, his going to Washington DC, dressing in full uniform and killing himself?

13. The crew from the airfield and their going to give testimony, the confrontation with Jessup? Jessup and the cross-examination, his self assurance, arrogance? The confrontation and determination of Kaffee? Jessup's speech, his anger, self-defeating and his bewilderment at what had happened?

14. The final judgment, for Downey and Dawson, one accepting it, one resenting it? The achievement by Kaffee, Jo and Wynberg?

15. The film's comment on authority, power, the military forces, codes of honour, cover-ups, truth and lies?