A Few Good Men **** (1992, Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore, Kevin Bacon, Kiefer Sutherland, Kevin Pollak, J T Walsh) – Classic Movie Review 6072

Director Rob Reiner’s 1992 courtroom thriller stars Tom Cruise as Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee, an untried US Navy lawyer who links up with Lieutenant Commander JoAnne Galloway (Demi Moore) to defend two US Marines accused of a killing instigated by their martinet colonel (Jack Nicholson).

Thanks to Aaron Sorkin’s screenplay, based on his 1989 stage play, this is an outstanding, particularly tense and witty courtroom drama. There is a highly engaging eager-beaver turn by youngish Cruise (already 30!) and a magnetic, hyperactive one from Jack Nicholson as Colonel Nathan R Jessep.

The movie is most attractive, old-fashioned Hollywood hokum, made with the confidence and style of the Golden Years. It is entertaining throughout its long, 138 minute running time, but at its best in the final showdown between young gun Cruise and old big shot Nicholson. This is shrewd casting, and Cruise does well to keep his head above water in the three big scenes when scene-stealing Nicholson is on screen. Intriguingly, Cruise’s best piece of acting so far is an unexpectedly accurate take-off of his co-star.

A few other good men in the cast include Kevin Bacon as the prosecutor Captain Jack Ross and Kiefer Sutherland as Second Lieutenant Jonathan Kendrick, one-time Brat Pack stars turning into useful character actors. Also notable in the cast are Kevin Pollak, J T Walsh, Christopher Guest, Matt Craven, James Marshall, J.A. Preston, Wolfgang Bodison, Xander Berkeley, John M. Jackson, Noah Wyle and Cuba Gooding Jr.

It is shot by Robert Richardson, produced by William Gilmore and Rachel Pfeffer, scored by Marc Shaiman, and designed by J Michael Riva and David Klassen.

There were for Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor (Nicholson), but no wins.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 6072

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