Scriptwriter Aaron Sorkin (THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT, THE WEST WING) first came to prominence on the big-screen with this powerful adaptation of his stage play, directed by Rob Reiner, who contrasted from directing the 1980s rom-com classic WHEN HARRY MET SALLY.
Substandard Marine, Private William T. Santiago (Michael DeLorenzo) is found dead at Guantanamo Bay at the hands of Privates Howard W. Dawson (Wolfgang Bodison) and Louden Downey (James Marshall) who are brought to Washington for trial. Fresh-faced naval graduate Lt. Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise) and Lt. Sam Weinburg (Kevin Pollak) are assigned by Commander Joanne Galloway (Demi Moore) to delve deeper into the evidence, which points to a ‘Code Red’ – an illicit act of motivation in Marine circles in the corridors of power.
A trip to the base sees the trio meet the base commander, Nathan Jessup (Jack Nicholson in his Oscar nominated role) where there is some resistance to Kaffee and co, even down to Kaffee’s opposite, Jack Ross (Kevin Bacon) who tries to stop them from going to court to defend the two Marines accused of murder. The trial is set – and the battle for justice begins….
This is an actors’ showcase and a handsome mounted one. Cruise and Nicholson take the plaudits as opposites, roaring in sync during the climactic confrontation in the court room and supported admirably by Moore and Pollak. A good score by Marc Shaiman helps.