Be good to each other,
-Nathan
Be good to each other,
-Nathan
"The authentic relationship I wanted now was with the written page." -Jonathan Franzen
"Communism and Drugs"
A Review of "American Made" by Nathan H. Box
Directors: Doug Liman, Writer: Gary Spinelli, Starring: Tom Cruise, Domhnall Gleeson, Sarah Wright
Rating: 4 Stars, SHOWTIME
The Plot
"American Made" is the story of a TWA pilot named Barry Seal, who became a drug runner for the CIA in the 1980's. Through poor government oversight and a failed attempt to fight both the war on drugs and the spread of communism, the entire operation was exposed to the public as the Iran-Contra affair.
My Critique
If you are reading this at work, take a look around you. How many years have you been coming to this place? Going through these same routines? Do you feel stuck and uninspired? Then you can relate to the predictable life of Barry Seal played by Tom Cruise. Barry is a TWA pilot going through the motions. Once upon a time, he was destined for greatness but now he finds himself just doing enough to get by and make it in America. Then the CIA approached Barry in a bar and everything changed. What began as a mission to do reconnaissance work turned into something much more interesting.
Soon, flying through dangerous regions and being shot at wasn't enough. Barry needed more and the lure of cocaine pulled him forward. Here, our star meets the true Gods of Colombia; Jorge Ochoa and Pablo Escobar. They want Barry's help to fly cocaine into Miami. Instead of Miami, he convinces the drug kingpins to pick the bayous of Louisiana. Before we know it, Barry is making more money than he knows how to spend.
It is at this point that my first real concern for the movie arises. The film seems to have some timeline issues. They don't unravel the movie but they did make me question the story. As Barry begins to expand his operation in 1980, the movie mentions President and Nancy Reagan's War on Drugs and Just Say No campaign. My timeline issue here is Mr. Reagan was elected in November of 1980 but he didn't become president until January of 1981. Now, of course, this shouldn't be that big of a deal but this movie makes a point out of the timeline. As mentioned above, this doesn't ruin the film but it did catch me off guard.
My second concern for this film was the plot itself. In so many ways, it reminded me of the Johnny Depp film, "Blow." Now without a doubt, the Colombians relied on countless people to sneak cocaine into the US but the stories seemed so similar in spots I couldn't help but chuckle and wonder. For both characters, the good times are amazing. They are filled with pristine homes, clothes, cars, cash, and admiration. They also set up a scenario you know is coming, the fall. Of course, the fall begins with a betrayal and living beyond your means.
Where the film diverges from "Blow," is the path where drugs and communism cross. Time and time again, Barry is used as a pawn by the government. When it is discovered just how much money he is making in South America, the US creates a plot to use him once again. This time, they do it to cover themselves. See, they have been selling weapons to the South Americans without the consent of Congress. They need the American people to believe the Colombians, Iranians, Contra, and Communism are all in bed together. They need proof and Barry is their guy. This is the ultimate decision for Barry and the most dramatic in the entire movie.
For lifting the curtains on some of the events that lead to the Iran-Contra affair, this movie is worthy of your time and money. Just try to remember, we've seen some of this story before.
Be good to each other,
-Nathan
"The lovely thing about local spirit is that nobody outside of the area pays any attention to it." -William C. Speidel
"When need-to-know lists were being made up, I was always left off them. It was as if I went through life wearing a sign that said KEEP HIM IN THE DARK." -Jonathan Franzen
"The Idea of Yourself"
A Review of "The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)" by Nathan H. Box
Directors: Noah Baumbach, Writer: Noah Baumbach, Starring: Adam Sandler, Grace Van Patten, Dustin Hoffman.
Rating: 4 Stars, SHOWTIME
The Plot
"The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)" focuses on an estranged family as they gather in New York for an event in honor of the artistic work of their father. Like most families, the relationships between each character is complicated. As they come to terms with the relationship they possess with their father and each other, the level of drama only intensifies.
My Critique
You may need to sit down for the opening line of my critique of this film. Sitting down? Good. Adam Sandler is about to be nominated for an Oscar. Yes, the same guy who cussed at a golf ball and talked to a penguin in a drunken stupor is about to be nominated for Hollywood's biggest prize. Yet, those of us who have been paying attention to his dramatic work like "Punch Drunk Love," "The Cobbler," and "Reign Over Me" may not find this forthcoming nomination a surprise. In this film, he is brilliant as a loving father trying to bridge the gaps of the past by being the man his father could never be. In doing so, he turns in the performance of his career.
In Dustin Hoffman, we find a father who seems to be more focused on his work than his children. Throughout the film, we discover he suffers from delusions of grandeur and jealousy toward those who made it. He serves as an odd anchor for a family. For much of the film, he seems like a man who had kids because your "supposed to have kids." His self-centered nature creates complicated family dynamics that impacts every person around him. By the time the credits roll, his character will leave you questioning the idea of yourself and how you're perceived. For giving us this baggage to carry home, Dustin Hoffman also deserves a nomination.
In Ben Stiller, we find a man who has much in common with his father. There are two key differences, though. First, he is focused on business, not art much to the dismay of his father. Secondly, he seems to realize his flaws and works hard to correct them. To me, this is evident in his phone calls home and the sense of responsibility to be present.
Things are further complicated when Dustin Hoffman's character is admitted to the hospital. The possibility of end of life decisions becomes very real. Each of the three children is forced to come to terms with their father and find a way to forgive him for his shortcomings. For each of the characters, this is their moment to shine and they do not disappoint. Each submits memorable performances worthy of recognition.
When the film ends, you'll be left to evaluate the relationship you have with your own families. Great movies do this. They give you something to take from the screen to apply to your real life. And this is a great film.
Be good to each other,
-Nathan
"Fellowship was a class I was never going to be the best student in; I was content to pull down B's and C's in honesty and openness." -Jonathan Franzen
Left, Right, Center: Our Relationship with Other Countries
After World War I and through the Great Depression, the United States of America entered an extended period of isolationism. At 150 years old, our nation was not yet a global superpower. Taking some time to focus on ourselves didn't have a detrimental impact on other nations. We were allowed to retreat to focus on rebuilding our military, enjoy the roaring 20's, and recover from an extended economic depression. Even with another World War brewing, we wouldn't answer the call to enter the fray until we were attacked by the Empire of Japan. Then and there, we finally saw the need to stop encroaching enemies set on world domination. We also saw an opportunity to improve our own economy through a war effort.
After the war, the Empire of Great Britain, France, and the rest of Europe were in shambles. Japan had been defeated and Germany was divided. The U.S.S.R. and the United States of America stepped forward as the world's superpowers. Holding two different economic theories, the U.S.S.R. and United States entered an extended Cold War. Citizens of both countries lived under heightened periods of fear. A growing nuclear arsenal only complicated matters. Believing citizens all across the globe should be free to determine their own course, the United States entered into two wars to stop the spread of communism; the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Our cold standoff with Russia almost ended with the Bay of Pigs in Cuba.
In the late 80's, the U.S.S.R. collapsed leaving the United States as the sole superpower in the world. Not until recently, has any country really challenged our place. With China on the rise, many are beginning to question the role of the United States in the world. On one hand, we possess more military might than any other country in the world. On the other hand, we supply more aid to countries in need than any other nation on earth. We act as both police and servant. This is a hard and expensive position to hold for very long.
With this knowledge in hand, I think it is high time we begin to consider our relationship with other countries. In every region of the world, the U.S. enjoys allies, strategic partnerships, and treaties. Our troops are stationed in 150 nations. More often than not, when called upon to serve our soldiers and aid workers step up to the plate. Our citizens donate generously to causes all around the globe. We are a giving nation, but there is also this prevailing thought that we are the most feared, respected, loved, and hated country in the world. Some of this dissonance arises from the positive things mentioned above compared to our decisions to enter into the Vietnam War, meddle in other countries elections, the invasion of Iraq, our continued use of drones. These actions have created enemies; enemies are generosity cannot turn into friends.
Standing on the edge of a never-ending war on terrorism, we have three options. We can retreat inward and allow the world to solve its own problems. We can choose to flex our military might or we can choose diplomacy. In seemingly times of great of violence, I understand those who believe it is time to focus on ourselves. I also understand flexing our military might across the globe but I think those people often forget the high economic and human costs of war. I also understand those who cling to diplomacy and peace over anything else. In my mind, I don't think our relationship with other countries is an either/or proposition. Rather, I see I need for all three. I also wholeheartedly believe this is not a time for isolationism. There is too much at stake and too much of the world depends on us.
Instead of complete isolation, I would recommend we decrease defense spending and make sound investments in our own well-being. It is time to focus on infrastructure, schools, education, and the health of our people. Next, I would like to see a military that is leaner, meaner, and more strategic. It is often reported by those in the Pentagon that their budgets are bloated with items they don't need and didn't ask for in the first place. Instead, let's give them the tools they actually need to do the job. Let's invest more in research and development so we might be on the forefront of protecting those who rely on us against those who might do the world harm. Finally, let's double down on diplomacy. Peace, above all else, should be the aim of the nation. We will build more love and goodwill with aid and positive conversations than we ever could with a bomb. It is high time we realize that.
Of course, I know these are oversimplified solutions. Policy hawks, ambassadors, and the Defense Department would have a field day with my assessment. When the dust settles, I am just one citizen who has great concern about the path we find ourselves. Instead, of doing the same thing over and over expecting different results, perhaps we can try a more nuinaced approach.
Be good to each other,
-Nathan
"I wanted to be able to write a check, because I want to put Katrina's victims out of my mind and get back to enjoying my life, because, as a New Yorker, I felt I had a right to enjoy my life, because I was living in the number-one terrorist target in the Western Hemisphere, the preferred destination of every lunatic with a portable nuclear device or smallpox dispenser, and because life in New York was liable to go from great to ghastly even faster than it had in New Orleans." -Jonathan Franzen
"This is a great time to be an American CEO, a tough time to be the CEO's lowest paid worker. A great time to be Wal-Mart, a tough time to be in Wal-Mart's way, a great time to be an incumbent extremist, a tough time to be a moderate challenger. Fabulous to be a defense contractor, shitty to be a reservist, excellent to tenure at Princeton, grueling to be an adjunct at Queens College; outstanding to manage a pension fund, lousy to rely on one; better than ever to bestselling, harder than ever to be mid-list; phenomenal to win a Texas Hold 'Em tournament, a drag to be a video-poker addict." -Jonathan Franzen