Rating: 
Summary: A Vision of Vietnam
Review: I thought the movie was highly enjoyable and overall entertaining. But, there were a lot of themes, and they were all mashed into one, so it wasn't quite clear what the movie was trying to get across. There was Le Ly against her own human nature, her religion, and her needs. And throughout the movie it would focus on one of those ideas, but it would never really be resolved and therefore it was left just floating around. For example, Le Ly against her religion. She couldn't leave her husband Steve to just be self destructive, and suicidal but if she helped him, she'd be going against her Buddhist ideals because she volunteered to give up her religion for him. But, if she didn't her karma would be off balance and she would never reach any type of peace within herself. The movie never really resolved that conflict, even with Steve's suicide. Was she really ready to give up her faith for him? After he died that theme was sort of just left out to dry.
Another thing I was confused about was why Tommy Lee Jones was made out to be the main character of the movie, and the entire thing was supposed to be him or something. In fact, the back of the movie box said he, 'lead the cast,' but, there was no leading of the cast by Jones. He was good in the role he was supposed to play; he was creepy and dangerous yet somehow he had a redeeming quality to him that made you feel sorry for him. But he was in the movie for a total of maybe thirty minutes and then he died. Yes, he was a big character and was important to the story, but his acting didn't 'burn through the screen like white phosphorus.'
I thought the movie was very realistic. It was based on a true story, so it was very factual and accurate in its representations of events. I think that it tried to take the viewer from one part of history to the present, and to portray what life is like in Vietnam for the people living there. There was no holding back in the scenes, and there was no sugar coating of events. Le Ly was brutally raped by a fellow villager, her entire village was burned down, people she loved were tortured, even she was tortured, and her husband even held a loaded gun to head, ready to pull the trigger.
The visions of Vietnam that Stone presented the viewer were absolutely amazing. It is a more beautiful country than I ever thought, and the cinematography was excellent. One scene that stuck out to me was when Le Ly and her mother were working as servants and Le Ly fell in love with the house head. This scene stuck out to me especially because of the colors. The house itself was very white and beautiful, and the way that the cameras caught the angles of the sunlight was really dazzling.
The movie definitely held my interest. It never dragged and it was really interesting the way Stone took us, the viewers, into all the aspects of the life of Le Ly. I hate to use this cliché, but it really was a 'roller coaster' of emotions. I cried in some parts, laughed in other parts, was touched, was inspired, and was hurt right along with Le Ly. I really enjoyed watching the movie, beginning to end.
Rating:
Summary: A Vision of Vietnam
Review: I thought the movie was highly enjoyable and overall entertaining. But, there were a lot of themes, and they were all mashed into one, so it wasn�t quite clear what the movie was trying to get across. There was Le Ly against her own human nature, her religion, and her needs. And throughout the movie it would focus on one of those ideas, but it would never really be resolved and therefore it was left just floating around. For example, Le Ly against her religion. She couldn�t leave her husband Steve to just be self destructive, and suicidal but if she helped him, she�d be going against her Buddhist ideals because she volunteered to give up her religion for him. But, if she didn�t her karma would be off balance and she would never reach any type of peace within herself. The movie never really resolved that conflict, even with Steve�s suicide. Was she really ready to give up her faith for him? After he died that theme was sort of just left out to dry.
Another thing I was confused about was why Tommy Lee Jones was made out to be the main character of the movie, and the entire thing was supposed to be him or something. In fact, the back of the movie box said he, �lead the cast,� but, there was no leading of the cast by Jones. He was good in the role he was supposed to play; he was creepy and dangerous yet somehow he had a redeeming quality to him that made you feel sorry for him. But he was in the movie for a total of maybe thirty minutes and then he died. Yes, he was a big character and was important to the story, but his acting didn�t �burn through the screen like white phosphorus.�
I thought the movie was very realistic. It was based on a true story, so it was very factual and accurate in its representations of events. I think that it tried to take the viewer from one part of history to the present, and to portray what life is like in Vietnam for the people living there. There was no holding back in the scenes, and there was no sugar coating of events. Le Ly was brutally raped by a fellow villager, her entire village was burned down, people she loved were tortured, even she was tortured, and her husband even held a loaded gun to head, ready to pull the trigger.
The visions of Vietnam that Stone presented the viewer were absolutely amazing. It is a more beautiful country than I ever thought, and the cinematography was excellent. One scene that stuck out to me was when Le Ly and her mother were working as servants and Le Ly fell in love with the house head. This scene stuck out to me especially because of the colors. The house itself was very white and beautiful, and the way that the cameras caught the angles of the sunlight was really dazzling.
The movie definitely held my interest. It never dragged and it was really interesting the way Stone took us, the viewers, into all the aspects of the life of Le Ly. I hate to use this cliché, but it really was a �roller coaster� of emotions. I cried in some parts, laughed in other parts, was touched, was inspired, and was hurt right along with Le Ly. I really enjoyed watching the movie, beginning to end.
Rating:
Summary: Heaven and Earth Review
Review: I thought the movie was highly enjoyable and overall really good. But, there were a lot of themes, and they were all mashed into one, so it wasn't quite clear what the movie was trying to get across. There was person vs. person, person vs. self, Le Ly against her own human nature, her religion, and her needs. And throughout the movie it would focus on one of those ideas, but it would never really be resolved and therefore it was left just floating around. Like with Le Ly against her religion. She couldn't leave Steve to just be self destructive, but if she helped him, she'd be going against Buddhism because he was a devout Christian. But, if she didn't her karma would be thrown off and she would never reach any type of peace with herself. The movie never really resolved that conflict, even with Steve's suicide. Was she really ready to give up her faith for him? After he died that theme was sort of just left out in the air.
Another thing I was confused about was why Tommy Lee Jones was made out to be the main character of the movie, and the entire thing was supposed to be him or something. In fact, the back of the movie box said he, 'lead the cast,' but, there was no leading of the cast by Jones. He was good in the role he was supposed to play; he was creepy and dangerous yet somehow he had a redeeming quality to him that made you feel sorry for him. But he was in the movie for a total of maybe thirty minutes and then he died. Yes, he was a big character and was important to the story, but he didn't 'burn through the screen like white phosphorus.'
I thought the movie was very realistic. It was based on a true story, so it was very factual and accurate in its representations of events. I think that it tried to take the viewer from one part of history to the present, and to portray what life is like in Vietnam for the people living there. There was no holding back in the scenes, and there was no sugar coating of events. Le Ly was really raped by a fellow villager, and her husband really held a gun to head, ready to pull the trigger. The visions of Vietnam that Stone presented the viewer were absolutely amazing. It is a more beautiful country than I ever thought, and the cinematography was excellent. One scene that stuck out to me was when Le Ly and her mother were working in the big house where Le Ly fell in love with the house head because of the colors. The house itself was very white and beautiful, and the way that the cameras caught the angles of the sunlight was really dazzling.
The movie definitely held my interest. It never dragged and it was really interesting the way Stone took us, the viewers, into all the aspects of the life of Le Ly. I hate to use this cliché, but it really was a 'roller coaster' of emotions. I cried in some parts, laughed in other parts, was touched, was inspired, and was hurt right along with Le Ly. I really enjoyed watching the movie, beginning to end.
Rating:
Summary: Heaven and Earth Review
Review: I thought the movie was highly enjoyable and overall really good. But, there were a lot of themes, and they were all mashed into one, so it wasn�t quite clear what the movie was trying to get across. There was person vs. person, person vs. self, Le Ly against her own human nature, her religion, and her needs. And throughout the movie it would focus on one of those ideas, but it would never really be resolved and therefore it was left just floating around. Like with Le Ly against her religion. She couldn�t leave Steve to just be self destructive, but if she helped him, she�d be going against Buddhism because he was a devout Christian. But, if she didn�t her karma would be thrown off and she would never reach any type of peace with herself. The movie never really resolved that conflict, even with Steve�s suicide. Was she really ready to give up her faith for him? After he died that theme was sort of just left out in the air.
Another thing I was confused about was why Tommy Lee Jones was made out to be the main character of the movie, and the entire thing was supposed to be him or something. In fact, the back of the movie box said he, �lead the cast,� but, there was no leading of the cast by Jones. He was good in the role he was supposed to play; he was creepy and dangerous yet somehow he had a redeeming quality to him that made you feel sorry for him. But he was in the movie for a total of maybe thirty minutes and then he died. Yes, he was a big character and was important to the story, but he didn�t �burn through the screen like white phosphorus.�
I thought the movie was very realistic. It was based on a true story, so it was very factual and accurate in its representations of events. I think that it tried to take the viewer from one part of history to the present, and to portray what life is like in Vietnam for the people living there. There was no holding back in the scenes, and there was no sugar coating of events. Le Ly was really raped by a fellow villager, and her husband really held a gun to head, ready to pull the trigger. The visions of Vietnam that Stone presented the viewer were absolutely amazing. It is a more beautiful country than I ever thought, and the cinematography was excellent. One scene that stuck out to me was when Le Ly and her mother were working in the big house where Le Ly fell in love with the house head because of the colors. The house itself was very white and beautiful, and the way that the cameras caught the angles of the sunlight was really dazzling.
The movie definitely held my interest. It never dragged and it was really interesting the way Stone took us, the viewers, into all the aspects of the life of Le Ly. I hate to use this cliché, but it really was a �roller coaster� of emotions. I cried in some parts, laughed in other parts, was touched, was inspired, and was hurt right along with Le Ly. I really enjoyed watching the movie, beginning to end.
Rating: 
Summary: This movie will move mountains in your soul.
Review: I was gasping for breath, reaching for tissues, laughing, & holding on to the edge of my seat. It is very graphic, so be aware. It is also a wonderful yardstick for self reflection. This movie is a must for my video collection.
Rating: 
Summary: The book is great, the movie is a waste
Review: In my opinion the movie tried to include too much information into a two hour slot, and at times left out many of the more critical and interesting aspects that were detailed in the book. Stone should have continued the story of Le Ly's experiences in America in a separate film and concentrated more fully and accurately on the effects of the war within Vietnam, including descriptions from each side of the enemy lines.
I also found the scenes where Le Ly returned to Vietnam after liberation a bit cheesey and sentimental and the film omitted the fact that this journey, in reality, was much more dangerous and unnerving. In fact Le Ly did not even return to her village, Ky La, on this trip, nor did she return with her children! There was so much more that Stone could have made of this storyline, the section of the book which I found the most remarkable and fascinating.
In addition, the film also left out details of the relationships within the family, for example, between Le Ly and her father and her brother, which incidently were forgotten about during the movie. It didn't explain what happened to her family throughout the course of the war. Other aspects of Le Ly's earlier experiences with the Viet Cong were also omitted and I feel that much more could have been made of these storylines.
However, apart from these critcisms, I still thoroughly enjoyed the movie and Stone, having fought in the war himself, portrayed the country from a moving and realsitic angle. In fact the film portrayed Vietnam (although it was not filmed in Vietnam) as a beautiful and attractive place where I would love to visit.
My final point is that those who enjoyed the movie should read the book, as it is much more intense and is unreservedly compelling.
Rating: 
Summary: A review
Review: In my opinion the movie tried to include too much information into a two hour slot, and at times left out many of the more critical and interesting aspects that were detailed in the book. Stone should have continued the story of Le Ly's experiences in America in a separate film and concentrated more fully and accurately on the effects of the war within Vietnam, including descriptions from each side of the enemy lines.
I also found the scenes where Le Ly returned to Vietnam after liberation a bit cheesey and sentimental and the film omitted the fact that this journey, in reality, was much more dangerous and unnerving. In fact Le Ly did not even return to her village, Ky La, on this trip, nor did she return with her children! There was so much more that Stone could have made of this storyline, the section of the book which I found the most remarkable and fascinating.
In addition, the film also left out details of the relationships within the family, for example, between Le Ly and her father and her brother, which incidently were forgotten about during the movie. It didn't explain what happened to her family throughout the course of the war. Other aspects of Le Ly's earlier experiences with the Viet Cong were also omitted and I feel that much more could have been made of these storylines.
However, apart from these critcisms, I still thoroughly enjoyed the movie and Stone, having fought in the war himself, portrayed the country from a moving and realsitic angle. In fact the film portrayed Vietnam (although it was not filmed in Vietnam) as a beautiful and attractive place where I would love to visit.
My final point is that those who enjoyed the movie should read the book, as it is much more intense and is unreservedly compelling.
Rating:
Summary: The best witness of Vietnam that I've ever seen.
Review: In this film, we see vivid pictures of horrors that we could never even imagine living with, this was their lives. The actors are supurb, the best I've seen in any movie in a long time. The scenery is breath-taking, taking you to a beautiful, yet scarred country. The thing that surprised me about this movie is that it took me off America's side. All the sudden I wasn't cheering for us to win. I wanted those poor people out of their misery. To any one who has the slightest interest in Vietnam, or who thinks America's involvement there was the best thing, I advise you to watch this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Mistreated in Vietnam, her troubles didn't end in America
Review: Oliver Stone adapted this 1993 film from book written by Le Ly Hayslip, who is now a successful businesswoman in California. She had an idyllic life in her Vietnamese village once. But first there were the French, and then there were the Americans and the Viet Cong. She was mistreated by both sides, winding up in Saigon with a baby. Eventually, she married an American serviceman and moved to America. But her troubles didn't end there.Hiep Thi Le, cast as the woman, does an outstanding job. And Tommy Lee Jones is wonderful in his role as the American serviceman. The cinematography was excellent and all the actors seemed real and authentic. I was fascinated by the story, which was indeed horrific. There were some deeply moving moments too, especially as they applied to family relationships. Most of all, though, it all rang true. Even though it was a little overlong, I totally enjoyed it. I found myself really identifying with the Vietnamese people and admiring the strength of Le Ly as she struggled to survive. The film spans more than 30 years, and brings the viewer back to Vietnam where it all began. This is not an easy film to watch, but it certainly is worthwhile. Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Mistreated in Vietnam, her troubles didn't end in America
Review: Oliver Stone adapted this 1993 film from book written by Le Ly Hayslip, who is now a successful businesswoman in California. She had an idyllic life in her Vietnamese village once. But first there were the French, and then there were the Americans and the Viet Cong. She was mistreated by both sides, winding up in Saigon with a baby. Eventually, she married an American serviceman and moved to America. But her troubles didn't end there. Hiep Thi Le, cast as the woman, does an outstanding job. And Tommy Lee Jones is wonderful in his role as the American serviceman. The cinematography was excellent and all the actors seemed real and authentic. I was fascinated by the story, which was indeed horrific. There were some deeply moving moments too, especially as they applied to family relationships. Most of all, though, it all rang true. Even though it was a little overlong, I totally enjoyed it. I found myself really identifying with the Vietnamese people and admiring the strength of Le Ly as she struggled to survive. The film spans more than 30 years, and brings the viewer back to Vietnam where it all began. This is not an easy film to watch, but it certainly is worthwhile. Recommended.
|
