Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Robert De Niro | ... | Michael | |
John Cazale | ... | Stan | |
John Savage | ... | Steven | |
Christopher Walken | ... | Nick | |
Meryl Streep | ... | Linda | |
George Dzundza | ... | John | |
Chuck Aspegren | ... | Axel | |
Shirley Stoler | ... | Steven's Mother | |
Rutanya Alda | ... | Angela | |
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Pierre Segui | ... | Julien |
Mady Kaplan | ... | Axel's Girl | |
Amy Wright | ... | Bridesmaid | |
Mary Ann Haenel | ... | Stan's Girl | |
Richard Kuss | ... | Linda's Father | |
Joe Grifasi | ... | Bandleader |
Michael, Steven and Nicky are 3 best friends who enjoy going deer hunting quite often. These men get enlisted to head to Vietnam to fight for their country and celebrate with a farewell party, as well as Steven marrying a pregnant woman named "Angela." After the horrors during the war and edge-grabbing games of Russian Roulette that these men are forced to play, Michael returns home and realizes that his deer hunting outings aren't the same as they used to be, because of the war and he eventually finds out that Steven is handicapped and Nicky hasn't returned from Vietnam, and in response, he heads back to Vietnam to rescue him. Written by Koen Versieck
Nothing prepares us for a life in the so called modern world but we partake in the traditions passed on to us through family, friends and colleagues, at home, out socialising and in the workplace. It's called culture and, for the most part, it keeps us safe and secure, as the bonds we develop make us feel a part of the fabric but it's still psychologically a challenge to the hunter gatherers mind - increasingly so today.
Put that mind into war, battles, conflict, abuse, threat and it's anyone's guess what might result. Put that mind into the events portrayed here, albeit quite extreme, and you have the basis for a fascinating insight into the cultural and social destruction that conflict can reap through individuals, as well as entire populations, and continue to do so long after the truce has been declared.
Mix into the portrayal some of the finest actors of their generation, perhaps of all time, and you have a genuinely timeless anti-war reflection that, in itself, should be enough to dissuade the most sabre rattling politico, who genuinely cares about their citizens, to put their swords away and resolve any differences peacefully. Unfortunately, recent history suggests otherwise.