JIM reviews film “21 AND A WAKEUP” — A Wakeup Call about the problems caused by Lying Politicians & Military men =
Submitted by jimchudnow@sbcg... on August 17, 2009 - 12:44am.
“21 AND A WAKEUP” — A Wakeup Call about the problems caused by Lying Politicians & Military men =
Rating: 7 of 10 stars (based on an advance screening).
This film is set in the closing days of the Vietnam war, & is based on various TRUE stories and people. It mainly concerns a group of Vietnam-based nurses as the American effort is being wound down (& the title describes the amount of service time one has left).
The principal subject is independent-minded nurse Caitlyn (AMY ACKER), who rebels against the inflexible, by-the-book attitude of Major Rose (FAYE DUNAWAY). Other nurses are medically-talented Jenny (DANICA McKELLAR), Abigail (ALLISON HENRY), Skylar (KRISTYN GREEN) & a Corpsman (ANNA HAGOPIAN). There are some talented doctors (such as WES STUDI & ROB SHAPIRO), some bad ones, & a sexy lady singer Xenia (T. LOPEZ) visiting the base. The story concerns medical problems that arise, & Amy going with journalist Chris (TODD CAHOON) on a dangerous secret mission to Cambodia to honor a promise to a recently-killed cohort.
The film covers a lot of interesting ground & is basically WELL-done (tho it has some “over-the-top” & slightly stiff acting before the somewhat “hopeful” end). It made me sad thinking of the problems caused by many decades of politicians & military men (like in the Johnson, Nixon, Reagan & Bush administrations) DECEIVING the public to foster their private agendas & obliviousness.
… Before the film, the director CHRIS McINTYRE spoke of how he served in the Vietnam War (which his movie was about), & he grew to LOVE the country & many of the PEOPLE who lived there. He made the film based on some true stories, utilizing a number of actors who are famous in that country, & commented that he’s proud to have many FRIENDS over there.
… In the audience, he introduced LANCE GUEST who appears in the film, & commented on how wonderful he is as Johnny Cash in the play “MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET” appearing in Chicago. Chris told how this was like the 15th screening he’d shown (for the film opening at the end of this month), & would appreciate people filling out the questionnaire cards we’d been provided (about the documentary footage, soundtrack song, etc.)…
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Vietnam Era Nurses
I am a Vietnam vet and included a true recollection in my memoir “Elusive Honor” about three people, one of which was a Vietnam Combat Nurse I encountered while serving on the Navy Discharge review board after the Vietnam War.
I am anxious to see if her story is in any way relational to that which unfolds in “21 and a wake up”.
The Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) recently passed a resolution on the subject of unreviewed and unfavorable discharges during that era. Perhaps this movie will bring to the fore some unresolved issues still remaining from that war. My hope is that it will bring some closure to veterans and families who still deal with resentment, anger, and frustrations from so many years ago.
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