Luke
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CibbuanoSalvador
August 21st 2006 07:36
Salvador (1986)
'Salvador' is one of Oliver Stone’s earlier efforts… it hasn’t gained the recognition of ‘Platoon’, ‘JFK’ or ‘Born on the Fourth of July’ but I think this film is every bit as much ‘up there’ as those aforementioned Stone classics.
As a film, 'Salvador' works on two levels. On one hand it tells the story of El Salvador, a central American republic heavily affected by American Cold War foreign policy. On the other hand, it's the true story of Richard Boyle (Woods), a down-and-out journalist looking to make a quick buck amidst the revolution. Along for the ride is his friend, Dr Rock (James Belushi, who plays the role uncannily like his late brother, John), a down-and-out radio DJ who is unwittingly dragged into a warzone.
The film's strength is in the character of Boyle (and the acting of Woods, in probably his greatest role), a self-confessed liar, cheat, alcoholic and scum-of-the-earth journalist. We should be unsympathetic to such a character, but his own emerging sympathy for the plight of El Salvador belies a level of character-complexity seldom seen in 'war' films. Woods managed to engage me completely throughout, and if it wasn't for the presence of his character (who actually had me laughing a lot of the time) I daresay this film would have been a very dark and mirthless affair. Films aiming to portray a subject matter as truthfully (and albeit, grimly) as this need a good balance, and a person like Boyle is human enough to achieve that.
Unfortunately, in light of many other similar fallouts from U.S. foreign policy, the tragic story of El Salvador isn't particularly unique, and so this film is as relevant today as it was when it was first released in the 80s. Watch it for the great performances, the well-researched script, and the escalating tension of approaching revolution.
HIGHLIGHTS: Boyle's would-be fiance lists the reasons why he would be an unsuitable husband... and Boyle sidesteps her complaints with typical James Woods-slipperiness.
Also, the final scenes of war in El Salvador are impressive in their scope.
TRIVIA: Oliver Stone, wishing to film on location, submitted a fake, dummy-script to the El Salvador government. It soon became apparent that filming there was too dangerous (people were killed) and the film was hence moved to Mexico.
James Woods earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
The film feels very real thanks to the authentic performances and urgent cinematography. Well researched script too.
A contemporary classic for sure.