I went to see Buffalo Solidiers last night. The story is about Ray Elwood (played wonderfully by Joaquin Phoenix) a disillusioned and bored US soldier based on an army base in West Germany in 1989, shortly before the fall of the Berlin Wall. To best describe his character, imagine Sgt Bilko as a heroin dealer. He has a finger in every pie, can procure anything you want and knows that “there’s a black market for anything I can get my hands on.” He’s about to make the deal of his life when a new top sargeant, played with an almost psychotic zeal by Scott Glenn, arrives at the base accompanied by his daughter Robin (Anna Paquin). And he’s determined to bring Elwood down.
The film is superb. The script, adapated from Robert O’Connor’s book, is a well written black comedy that finds it’s roots in Catch-22, Dr Strangelove, M*A*S*H and even the recent Three Kings. It’s very cynical and I can understand Miramax’s reluctance to give this a general release in the US. (In fact it was the subject of controversy at the Sundance festival a year or so ago when a woman stood up, launched an abusive tirade at the film-makers giving a Q&A and hurled a plastic water bottle at them). It knows who it’s targets are (there are plenty of background shots of George Bush Sr.) and doesn’t pull any punches. And as much as scenes like the doped up tank ride through a german town will leave you laughing, others will make you feel uncomfortable.
The acting all round is good with Ed Harris as the incompetent Colonel who is Elwood’s boss, Elizabeth McGovern as his ambitious wife and Anna Paquin as Robin Lee, proving once again that the ability to act will always outweigh the ability to just look glamourous. Gregor Jordan directs well, if not outstandingly. He has a story to tell and he tells it with as little fuss as possible. That we end up rooting for it’s morally ambiguous anti-hero is
testament to a job well done on his part.
Buffalo Soldiers will make you laugh, cry and squirm. It’s a shame that it probably won’t get a general release but if you’re in the mood for something subversive and have a chance to see it, do so.
On an incidental note, the film was preceded by a very amusing short animation called “Leuvig” which was narrated by Sam Neill. It was a 2 minute opus about the nature of democracy and the government and was very amusing. It may only be being shown at Warner Village cinemas though.
12/08/2003 at 9:37 am Permalink
It’s weird, I read the book of this when it was first printed, back in the early-mid 90’s, and I really should read it again, and/or watch the film. Thing is, I can’t remember much about the book at all, and can’t even find it anymore on the shelves. Must keep eyes open…
12/08/2003 at 9:54 am Permalink
Would it be childish to wish that Joaquin would marry Anna, and could run the chance of being called Joaquin Paquin.
Probably not. *grin*
12/08/2003 at 11:57 am Permalink
It’s still got to be better than “Leaf Phoenix” which he used to be called. I wonder if he’s ever forgiven his parents?
12/08/2003 at 10:17 pm Permalink
Yep, this one is definitely on my list to see. I read it was good and that Joaquin turned in a fab performance.
Thanks for the review.
13/08/2003 at 10:09 am Permalink
Well, the parents were complete hipies anyway, what with River, Leaf, Summer, Rain, and a couple of others. Not quite as bad as Moon Unit (Frank Zappa) or Fifi Trixibelle (Geldof/Yates), but definitely on a par with Zowie Bowie.