The Broadway Bound Blogathon – Biloxi Blues (1988)

This is my 2nd of 2 reviews for The Broadway Bound Blogathon  2018 being hosted by Rebecca of Taking Up Room.

Tnx for letting me partake Rebecca!

“You’re a witness. You’re always standing around watching what’s happening, scribbling in your book what other people do. You have to get in the middle of it. You have to take sides. Make a contribution to the fight. Any fight. The one you believe in.” – Arnold Epstein

Number of Times Seen – Between 3-5 Times (Theater in the 80’s, video and 3 Jun 2018)

Brief Synopsis – Eugene Jerome is sent to basic training in Mississippi and once again must deal with the ordeal in life like becoming a man, sleeping in a barracks with other recruits and a wacky drill sergeant.

My Take on it – This is a film that I recall seeing in the theater not long after it came out.

As a 14 year old, I can’t say that I understood is perfectly, but I still managed to enjoy it a lot.

Matthew Broderick returns to the character that he won a Tony playing in Brighton Beach Memoirs on Broadway and somehow he seems a bit off in this incarnation of the more grown up role of Eugene.

The story isn’t as gripping and interesting as the first one but there still are some great scenes of recruits during basic training that work quite well.

The casting of Christopher Walken was a mis-step IMHO because he just isn’t able to deliver the comic lines well enough which takes away from the impact his character should have.

The fact that this story comes from Simon’s past also helps keep both the plot and storyline moving along at a great pace.

As with most of Sion’s stories, he knows how to keep the humor and drama balanced really well and delivers both serious and touching scenes along with the humorous ones.

Bottom Line – Not as good as the first film. Broderick does a pretty good job in the lead, but something feels a bit off along the way. Walken seems out of place in this somewhat comedic role and it takes away from the impact. Once again tho, the fact that this all feels as if it truly comes from Simon’s past helps keep the story and humor flowing the whole time.  As with most of his stories, Simon is able to keep a great balance between comedy and drama and we get laughter and serious issues all wrapped together. Recommended!

MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – During an interview Christopher Walken said he portrayed his somewhat “friendly” demeanor as Sgt. Toomey due to meeting an on set military consultant who was a “very tough Drill Sgt.” But at the same time he also described him as a “very nice, soft-spoken man”, whom everyone feared, but he didn’t have to sound or look fearful. In meeting this man, he decided to incorporate both types of people in his character, which was almost a 180 degree difference from the stage play character Sgt. Toomey. (From IMDB)

Rating – Globe Worthy (7/10)

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