Biloxi Blues
Bill Butler: Cinematographer
Sam O'Steen: Editor
Joseph M. Caracciolo: Producer
Marykay Powell: Producer
Ray Stark: Producer
Neil Simon: Writer
Universal Studios
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$9.99 |
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DVD Details:
- Starring: Matthew Broderick, Christopher Walken, Matt Mulhern, Corey Parker, Casey Siemaszko
- Director: Mike Nichols
- Format: Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
- Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
- Studio: Universal Studios
- Theatrical Release Date: Mar 25, 1988
- DVD Release Date: Jan 27, 2004
- Run Time: 106 minutes
- ASIN: B0000VV508
- UPC: 025192449123
- Sales Rank: 23784
Amazon Customer Reviews:
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 Bootcamp Wars, 2008-04-21
Biloxi Blues is one of Neil Simon's most moving comedies. The famous Simon one-liners are built into the play in the person of Eugene Jerome (played by Matthew Broderick as a thinly disguised Simon himself), whose voice-over narration is that of a comic writer looking back on the often excruciating experience of boot camp just before the end of World War II.
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br /Eugene quips, speaking in retrospect and in the character of the young recruit, but more often he expresses frustration, anger, anxiety, or regret, as he learns to cope with Americans from all over the United States, some of whom do not share his outlook or sense of values.
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br /There are formidable, sharply etched characters, besides that of Eugene Jerome. Arnold Epstein, Eugene's highly principled friend, is loathe to compromise his values, even if it means isolation, humiliating punishments, and confrontation with the sergeant in charge. Then there is Sgt. Toomey, brilliantly played by Christopher Walken. He is one of Neil Simon's most astounding creations, based no doubt on an actual person or at least a combination of real-life encounters. Toomey is by turns brutal, funny, just, solicitous, and troubled, a complex authority figure who almost runs away with the film. The audience can easily share the sentiments of the group as expressed by Eugene, that when he leaves they sorely miss him.
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br /The two women, Rowena the hooker (played by Parker Overall) and Daisy the Catholic school girl (played by Penelope Ann Miller) would seem at first glance to be the classic "virgin and whore" dichotomy as an influence in the hero's life. However, it is difficult, despite her profession, to categorize Rowena, whose patience, compassion, and understanding incline her more towards the "heart of gold" cliche, but who is a unique non-stereotypical character in many ways. Through Rowena, Simon shares with us the tenderness as well as the hilarity sometimes connected with a boy's first time.
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br /Every minute of Biloxi Blues is well-crafted and well-acted. I found myself laughing until the tears came one minute and choking back tears of joy, relief, and compassion the next. Biloxi Blues is quite simply one of my all-time favorite comedies.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
My favourite Neil Simon movie, 2008-04-04
"Biloxi Blues" is the second in the trilogy of autobiographical plays Neil Simon wrote about Eugene Jerome (the first being "Brighton Beach Memoirs" and the third being "Broadway Bound", both of which have also been made into movies). This installment sees Jerome (Matthew Broderick) drafted into the army and forced to endure basic training with a group of men he has absolutely nothing in common with and an "eccentric" drill sergeant, Sgt. Toomey (Christopher Walken). Rather than taking the easy option and making all of these characters two-dimensional stereotypes, as a lesser writer would do, however, Simon gives each of his characters depth and makes his audience genuinely love and respect them, even Sgt. Toomey, especially Sgt. Toomey - and Christopher Walken is really great in this part. My biggest problem with "Brighton Beach Memoirs" was that I found Eugene Jerome to be too passive. Simon actually addresses this issue directly in this play/film (one character actually tells Jerome that he is too passive), and the play/film is all the better for it.
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br /One of the biggest problems with many films that are based on stage plays is that they have a static, stagey feel to them. "Biloxi Blues", however, does not have this problem. The screen adaptation (the screenplay is also written by Neil Simon) is so good that I spent the whole film trying to work out how this could possibly have been performed on stage.
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br /Ever since I was a child, I have always enjoyed the films and plays of Neil Simon ("Murder By Death" was my favourite film from the ages of 5 to 12), but rewatching "Biloxi Blues" the other night, I reached the conclusion that this is my favourite Neil Simon play/film and furthermore, is one of the best movies I have ever seen in my entire life. Now, if only I could get a copy of "Broadway Bound".
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