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Casualties of War
1989 113 min United States of America R 18+
★7.4
Drama, History, War
Director: Brian De Palma
Trailers
Description
During the Vietnam War, a soldier finds himself the outsider of his own squad when they unnecessarily kidnap a female villager.
Budget:
$22.5M
US Gross:
$18.67M
Worldwide:
$18.67M
Starring
Michael J. Fox
Actor
Sean Penn
Actor
Don Harvey
Actor
Awards
Golden Globe 1990
— Best Original Score
Key opinion
Casualties of War is a harrowing and emotionally intense drama that examines the moral degradation of soldiers during the Vietnam War. While some critics argue it lacks the authentic atmosphere of its peers, the film is widely praised for the powerhouse performances of its leads and De Palma's distinctive, stylized approach to a grim subject matter.
| Acting | Michael J. Fox and Sean Penn deliver standout, contrasting performances that anchor the film's moral conflict. | |
| Direction | Brian De Palma utilizes his signature maximalist and suspense-driven style to transform a real-life war crime into a visceral, psychologically charged experience. | |
| Theme | The narrative effectively portrays the systemic dehumanization of war, highlighting the clash between individual morality and an indifferent military hierarchy. | |
| Originality | Opinions on the film's aesthetic differ: some viewers appreciate the artistic, stylized tension, while others find it sacrifices realism and feel the depiction of war is less authentic than genre classics like Platoon. | |
| Pacing | The pacing is viewed as both a strength for its deliberate emotional buildup and a potential weakness, with some finding the contemplative, heavy nature of the runtime exhausting. |