1943. Eager, but bumbling marine recruit Marion (a fine and credible performance by Jan-Michael Vincent) fails basic training and gets sent home wearing a humiliating light blue uniform. However, after a decorated war veteran (a memorable cameo by Richard Gere) beats up Marion and switches uniforms with him, Marion receives a hero's welcome in the small town he stops off in.
Director John Hancock offers a vivid and flavorsome evocation of the 1940's period setting in which innocence still existed and people took patriotic pride in their country, ably crafts a warm nostalgic mood, and relates the absorbing story at a steady pace. Stanford Whitmore's thoughtful script makes a valid point about the perils of ascribing heroic status upon someone on the basis of their appearance alone and has some interesting stuff to say on what it takes to be a hero. Moreover, the excellent acting by the sturdy cast holds this movie together: Glynnis O'Connor as sweet and smitten waitress Rose, Bert Remsen as the folksy Mr. Hudkins, Art Lund as the friendly Mr. Elmore, Dana Elcar as the amiable Sheriff Wenzel, Bruno Kirby Jr. as the happy go lucky Pop Mosley, and Robert Conrad as a hard-nosed drill instructor. The lovely cinematography by Laszlo Kovacs provides a pretty pastoral look. Fred Karlin's harmonic score does the tuneful trick. A real sleeper.
Director John Hancock offers a vivid and flavorsome evocation of the 1940's period setting in which innocence still existed and people took patriotic pride in their country, ably crafts a warm nostalgic mood, and relates the absorbing story at a steady pace. Stanford Whitmore's thoughtful script makes a valid point about the perils of ascribing heroic status upon someone on the basis of their appearance alone and has some interesting stuff to say on what it takes to be a hero. Moreover, the excellent acting by the sturdy cast holds this movie together: Glynnis O'Connor as sweet and smitten waitress Rose, Bert Remsen as the folksy Mr. Hudkins, Art Lund as the friendly Mr. Elmore, Dana Elcar as the amiable Sheriff Wenzel, Bruno Kirby Jr. as the happy go lucky Pop Mosley, and Robert Conrad as a hard-nosed drill instructor. The lovely cinematography by Laszlo Kovacs provides a pretty pastoral look. Fred Karlin's harmonic score does the tuneful trick. A real sleeper.