A masterpiece in my opinion, and one of Cruise's absolute best, with a gripping story, and an unforgettable performance from Cruise
10/10
Author: callanvass
17 February 2006

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

This is a masterpiece in my opinion, and one of Cruise's absolute best, with a gripping story, and an unforgettable performance from Cruise. All the characters are wonderful, and it had some very powerful emotional scenes as well, plus Tom Cruise is simply incredible in this. The war scenes in Vietnam feel very realistic, and it's just brilliant story telling from beginning till end, plus one of the most powerful scenes in the movie is when Kovic gets really drunk and starts ranting off on his family, that truly left me speechless because it was so powerful in my opinion.

I will be honest I haven't seen My Left Foot, so I can't say whether he deserved it or not, all I know is that Cruise definitely was worthy of it, and gives what may or may not be, the best performance of his career, plus it also helps that he had a really good somewhat unknown supporting cast as well. I enjoyed this even more then Stone's other masterpiece Platoon, and this will really leave you thinking after you are finished watching it, plus I liked the flashbacks of Kovac when he was a kid growing up at the beginning.

Even at 145 minutes it was never overlong for me, in fact I wish they would have showed Kovic's speech at the end, plus all the characters are extremely likable. It's brilliantly made and written, and I thought the character development was excellent, plus I really liked the music as well. Tom delivered some really powerful speeches in this, and you really feel for Kovic's character, even if he does seem like an asshole at times, plus it will make you uncomfortable at times, but in a good way.

Willem Dafoe had some very powerful scenes in his small role here, as there spitting in each other's face contest and constant arguing in the middle of the road, made my jaw drop, plus I loved the gritty atmosphere it had throughout as well. It's also a top notch character study, and I feel this should be in the top 250, plus it seriously almost had me at tears at times. This is a masterpiece in my opinion, and One of Cruise's absolute best, with a gripping story, and an unforgettable performance from Cruise, and if you haven't seen it, please do so immediately, you shouldn't regret it.

The Direction is masterful!. Oliver Stone does a masterful job here, with outstanding camera work, fantastic angles, creating plenty of memorable moments,I especially loved the shots during the War scenes, an incredible job in my opinion. The Acting is incredible!. Tom Cruise is amazing as always, and is incredible here, he is extremely likable, portrayed Ron Kovic with uncanny perfection, was a man of honor, courage, he also delivered one of his most mature performances,as you will feel the pain he is going through, I adore the cocky smiling Cruise, but he impressed me on a whole new level here, I hope he takes on tough projects like this in future, because he is one of the best ever in my opinion, and if he takes on awesome projects such as this he will get an Oscar eventually! (Cruise Rules!!!!!!!!!).

 Raymond J. Barry and Caroline Kava are both awesome as the parents and deliver engaging performances, I loved them both. Kyra Sedgwick is good as the early love interest and did what she had to do well. Frank Whaley is good as Timmy I dug him. Willem Dafoe is excellent in his small role, as he had one scene with Cruise I will never forget. Rest of the cast are fine.Overall if you haven't seen it please do so immediately you shouldn't regret it!. ***** out of 5