Tigerland (2000)

Tigerland.  The title refers to an "immersion" style boot camp training ground where new Army infantry recruits were sent before they boarded that plane to Vietnam.  But the film's focus is merely leading up to that.

The thing is, by 1971, everyone knows the war is pointless, and especially so everyone who's found themselves here.  Most of all, one Pvt. Roland Bozz (Colin Farrell).  Through some masterful manipulation and a lot of cocky attitude, he manages to get a few of his class sent home.  Either by getting them hardship discharges, section 8's, or finally, through injury and court martial.  Farrell's portrayal of the I-don't-care smartass is spot on.  Part of the reason I don't really care for any of his other stuff (lol) but the casting crew really nailed it here.

Through his tricks he works his way to Platoon Sergeant, and from there manages to make friends and enemies, culminating in an unforgettable in the "jungle" of Tigerland itself.

Part of the uniqueness of Tigerland is in its style.  Filmed in an extremely grainy stock, with a lot of handheld shots, it almost comes across as a period 1970's pseudo-documentary.  Big kudos to director  Joel Schumacher here.

But (and there's always a but) if Tigerland has a flaw its the writing.  A lot of it is just so utterly cliched, especially where the drill sergeants and officers are concerned.  It's like they said "Bring me R. Lee Ermy's DS from Full Metal Jacket, and tone it down a bit" or something.  A lot of times its near eye-rolling and laughable.  At times the banter and such between the recruits starts to take on that same "haven't I heard this before?" quality as well.  However, for some reason the conversations between Bozz and Paxton, which are probably the core of the story, are actually pretty well thought out, thought provoking, and interesting.

Overall I did like Tigerland, if nothing else just because it's a take on the whole "going to war" business I haven't seen, or even thought of, before.  Where most Vietnam movies seem to focus on "let's just get out of this sh*t and get home" this one gets them out *before* they even go.

But (another one) there's an even bigger message I think that may be overshadowed by all the stock DS shouting and Farrell's cocky attitude.  As Bozz leaves on the bus, he leaves his injured-soon-to-be-discharged buddy Paxton behind.  (to paraphrase) "I guess I'm going in your place, huh?"  Which refers to a conversation the two had earlier in the movie.  Paxton's reason for enlisting was that if he didn't, someone else would take his place, and they'd end up getting killed or injured, and he couldn't live with that.

So even through all of Bozz's bullsh*t, he comes out of it as the real hero, sacrificing himself for the good of Paxton, and all the others he got sent home, *including* his enemy Wilson.  Something to consider.

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Description

Colin Farrell, Matthew Davis, Clifton Collins, Jr. A fiery draftee conflicts with superiors and looks after fellow grunts in a Vietnam-era live-ammunition training ground on a Louisiana base in 1971. Directed by Joel Schumacher. 2000/color/100 min/R/widescreen.

Shot in the rough, 16-millimeter style of a low-budget documentary, Tigerland marked director Joel Schumacher's welcomed return to simplicity after a slew of bloated blockbusters like Batman & Robin. In revitalizing Schumacher's directorial talent, Tigerland--partially inspired by the Danish Dogme 95 movement of no-frills filmmaking--suggested that one solution to Hollywood's moribund "product" was to abandon excess, focus on essentials, and assemble a fine cast of unknown actors to make it all worthwhile. To that end, Tigerland also marked the deserving arrival of Irish actor Colin Farrell as Hollywood's hottest new discovery. Its story never leaves U.S. soil, so Tigerland differs from such in-country Vietnam films as Platoon and Full Metal Jacket. Instead, it's about the anxieties and moral dilemmas that arise from the anticipation of death and killing. These roiling emotions are focused on the character of Private Bozz (Farrell), whose insubordination betrays a singular knack for leadership during infantry training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, in 1971. Part R.P. McMurphy and part Cool Hand Luke, Bozz is a defiant maverick, barely tolerated by his superiors, challenged or revered by his fellow grunts, and ultimately honed into a soldier of remarkable promise. An intense final week in the live-ammo training ground nicknamed "Tigerland" galvanizes the platoon and Bozz's place in it, and although the film (partially based on cowriter Ross Klavan's own experience) lacks the emotional impact of Platoon, it deals quite potently with the internal conflicts that must be waged before external warfare can be endured. --Jeff Shannon

DVD Information

Binding: DVD
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Brand: Fox
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
Original Release Date:
Actors:

• Colin Farrell
• Matthew Davis
• Clifton Collins Jr.
• Tom Guiry
• Shea Whigham

Features

• 2001 - Tigerland - DVD
• Colin Farrell, Cole Hauser, Thomas Guiry
• Director: Joel Schumacher - Widescreen
• New - With Bonus Features
• Collectible

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Related posts:

1. The Patriot (2000)
2. Rules of Engagement (2000)
3. Thirteen Days (2000)
4. Fail Safe (2000)

This entry was posted on Friday, August 20th, 2010 at 9:42 am and is filed under 2000s, Reviews, Vietnam War Movies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.