War comedies are not exactly the easiest thing to pull off. There is the obvious example of Dr. Strangelove, or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, which is a hilarious parody, but for the most part, war is not exactly something to laugh about. Well, real war anyway — of we are talking about a fake war created for the purpose of a movie, that is something different, like Tropic Thunder, or dealt with in an over the top fashion like the Rambo movies. Good Morning, Vietnam is not like any of those movies in that it is an at times uproariously funny comedy that also deals with a very real war situation.
This is a movie that was a very questionable production. The Vietnam War is not really fertile ground for comedy, but an inkling was found thanks to veteran Airman Adrian Cronauer, portrayed in this film by Robin Williams. Now, this is not exactly a biography and much of the story has been factionalized, but the seed of reality is there and the tone has a realistic feel to it. Cronauer has been quoted as saying this movie is about 45% accurate.
The story centers on a military DJ, Cronauer, transferred from Crete to South Korea to help raise morale. Before long he finds himself at odds with his commanding officer as he has a different idea of what music people want to hear and how the comedy and news should be presented. His show came complete with over the top comedy, rock and roll music and a desire to give the people real news, not necessarily that which has been sanitized. Then things take a turn and the reality of the situation comes crashing down on him. I am getting ahead of myself.
It is hilarious watching Robin, err, Adrian do his thing on the radio. It is almost like they wound him up, pointed him at the microphone and just let him go. The monologues almost feel like we are front row at one of Williams' stand up shows. The irreverent attitude, the crazy voices, and the fact that all the soldiers loved him and the brass hated him. Then things take a turn and that reality steps in change the path of his radio career.
Besides his irreverent radio show, we get to watch him try to met a young Korean woman, make friends with a young Korean boy, and teach a class in English. It is during these off times when Adrian barely escapes a bombing of a GI bar. This changes Adrian's outlook and pushes him into the reality of the conflict around him and the very real dangers that threaten him and everyone everyday.
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