You Can’t Handle The Truth

“A Few Good Men”  (1992)  —  movie review
Today’s review is for the military courtroom drama “A Few Good Men” (1992), starring Tom Cruise as Lt. Daniel Kaffee (a Navy JAG lawyer with a reputation for plea bargains and a reluctance to dig deeper), Demi Moore as Lt. Cmdr. JoAnne Galloway (an internal affairs officer with a moral compass and a stubborn streak), Kevin Bacon as Capt. Jack Ross (a prosecutor who believes in the system but respects the game), Kiefer Sutherland as Lt. Jonathan Kendrick (a Marine officer whose loyalty borders on zealotry), and Jack Nicholson as Col. Nathan R. Jessup (a commanding officer whose belief in order and discipline masks a dangerous arrogance).  Supporting roles include Kevin Pollack as LTJG Sam Weinberg (Kaffee’s associate counsel on the case), J.T. Walsh as Lt. Col. Markinson (a conscience-stricken subordinate), Wolfgang Bodison as Lance Cpl. Harold Dawson, and James Marshall as Pfc. Louden Downey — the two Marines at the heart of the case.
Background:  I first saw “A Few Good Men” in the mid-1990s, long after its theatrical release but still close enough to the cultural moment that its dialogue echoed in popular culture.  I’ve seen it multiple times since — on cable, DVD, and now streaming.  It’s one of those films that I enjoy rewatching, not because the plot is complex, but because the performances are outstanding.  I came to it originally as a fan of courtroom dramas and military ethics, and stayed for (more or less) the same…   This viewing was prompted by recent history and the current Administration ordering Reserve, Guard and Active Duty forces into some of our countries biggest cities on highly dubious grounds.
Plot:  The film opens with a death at Guantanamo Bay — a Marine named Santiago is found dead after a disciplinary action known as a “Code Red.”  Two fellow Marines, Dawson and Downey, are charged with his murder.  Enter Kaffee, a young Navy lawyer with a reputation for avoiding trials.  Galloway, convinced the case is more than it appears, pushes for a full defense.  As the team investigates, they uncover a culture of silence, loyalty, and unspoken orders.  The case builds toward a courtroom showdown where Kaffee must confront Col. Jessup — a man who believes in the necessity of harsh discipline to protect national security.  The climax hinges on a single question:  Did Jessup order the Code Red?  The answer, delivered in one of cinema’s most iconic exchanges, reframes the entire trial narrative (but not the ultimate verdict).
So, is this movie any good?  How’s the acting?  The filming / FX? Any problems?  And, did I enjoy the film?  Short answers:  Yes;  excellent;  clean and effective;  a few;  absolutely.
Any good?  Yes — “A Few Good Men” is a compelling blend of legal drama, military ethics, and character study.   The film balances procedural mechanics with emotional stakes, and while it leans heavily on dialogue, it earns its climactic moments (emotional and judicial).  The moral questions — about obedience, honor, and accountability — are timeless.  The film was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Nicholson), Best Sound, and Best Film Editing.  It didn’t win, but the nominations reflect its craftsmanship and cultural impact.
Acting:  Cruise delivers one of his most grounded performances (pre-“Run, Tom, Run!” career phase) — his Kaffee is cocky, reluctant, and ultimately transformed.  Moore’s Galloway is principled and persistent.  Bacon’s Ross is a worthy foil — professional, sharp, and never villainous.  Sutherland plays Kendrick with chilling conviction, and Nicholson’s Jessup is volcanic.  His performance — all clenched jaw and righteous fury — dominates the film and especially the film’s final act.  The supporting cast is solid, with Walsh’s Markinson adding quiet tragedy and Bodison’s Dawson embodying stoic loyalty.  I would have liked to see the relationship between Kaffee and Weinberg developed a bit more, but that’s just me.  I also would have liked Markinson’s suicide better explained / justified.  In any case, the ensemble works because each main character believes they’re right — and the film lets them argue it out.
Filming / FX:  The cinematography is clean and functional — courtroom interiors, military bases, and Washington offices are shot with restraint.  The film doesn’t rely on flashy visuals or effects;  this is a “talking” movie.  The editing is crisp, especially in the courtroom scenes, where pacing and reaction shots build tension.  The film’s visual language is secondary to its verbal one — and that’s appropriate in the trial setting.
Problems:  A few.  The film occasionally simplifies complex issues — military culture, legal nuance, and moral ambiguity — into binary choices.  Galloway’s character, while central to the plot, is often sidelined in favor of Kaffee’s arc.  The pacing in the first act is uneven, with too much time spent on softball games and banter.  And while the final courtroom scene is iconic, it’s also theatrical — more stage play than legal realism.  But these are minor quibbles in an otherwise outstanding film.
Did I enjoy the film?  Yes — and I still do.  “A Few Good Men” is a film that rewards attention (and re-watching).  It’s not just about who gave the order;  it’s about why orders matter, and what happens when they’re followed blindly (or not followed at all).  The performances are strong, the dialogue memorable, and the themes enduring.  Watching Kaffee evolve from a reluctant lawyer to a principled advocate is satisfying.  Watching Jessup unravel and ultimately explode under pressure is cinematic gold.
Final Recommendation:  Highly recommended.  “A Few Good Men” is a courtroom drama that plays to its audience’s intelligence.  It’s about hard questions and difficult answers.  If you’re a fan of legal thrillers, military ethics, or films that explore the tension between duty and conscience, this film’s worth viewing.  Watch it for the performances (Cruise AND Nicholson), the dialogue, and the moment when truth finally breaks through.
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Click here (6 November) to see the posts of prior years.  I started this blog in late 2009.  Daily posting began in late January 2011.  Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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Seek The Future

Seek wisdom, not knowledge.  Knowledge is of the past, wisdom is of the future.
—     Native American Proverb
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Click here (6 November) to see the posts of prior years.  I started this blog in late 2009.  Daily posting began in late January 2011.  Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

Read Full Post »