Movies:
Biloxi Blues
DVD Release
- Release Date: 2004
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- Trailer
- Rating:
- Genre: Comedy Drama
- Movie Type: Military Comedy, Coming-of-Age
- Themes: Innocence Lost, Military Life, Writer's Life
- Director: Mike Nichols
- Main Cast: Matthew Broderick, Christopher Walken, Matt Mulhern, Michael Dolan, Corey Parker, Penelope Ann Miller
- Release Year: 1988
- Country: US
- Run Time: 105 minutes
Plot
Biloxi Blues was the second of playwright Neil Simon's semi-autobiographical trilogy (number one was Brighton Beach Memoirs; number three, Broadway Bound). Matthew Broderick stars as Simon's alter ego Eugene Morris Jerome, who is drafted and shipped off to boot camp in Biloxi, Mississippi in the waning days of World War II. Eugene is at the mercy of near-psychotic drill sergeant Toomey (Christopher Walken), who seems to have a personal vendetta against the poor schlemiel (Toomey also has all the film's best lines). While sweating out basic training, Eugene is indoctrinated into manhood by local prostitute Rowena (Park Overall). The film version of Biloxi Blues retains the wit and poignancy of the theatrical original--except towards the end, which pointlessly emphasizes a showdown between Eugene and Toomey. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie GuideReview
The second in a trilogy of autobiographical play adaptations penned by Neil Simon, this congenial comedy is an ensemble crowd pleaser with remarkable performances from several of its enthusiastic cast members. The material is decidedly episodic and even anecdotal, but director Mike Nichols breaks it out of its stage-bound roots, opening up to the humid Southern locales and giving his actors some breathing room. Of the three plays-cum-films that comprise the Simon cycle, this is easily the most cinematic and probably the only one that works even better as a film than it does on the boards. The young actors reward Nichols with noteworthy work, particularly Christopher Walken as a sadistic drill sergeant, Matthew Broderick as the sweet-natured hero briefly embarrassed by his heritage, Corey Parker in a revelatory turn as a brainy nerd, and Matt Mulhern as a bully with a surprising sense of honor. Only a third act confrontation between Walken and Broderick feels contrived, but the moment also gives the scene-stealing Walken his big chance to grab center stage, and he makes the most of it in one of his clip reel-worthy best. Biloxi Blues is a slighter film than the classic best of both Simon and Nichols, but it's a sturdy, thoroughly enjoyable entry in the coming-of-age genre. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie GuideCast
- Matthew Broderick - Eugene Morris Jerome
- Christopher Walken - Sgt. Merwin J. Toomey
- Matt Mulhern - Joseph Wykowski
- Corey Parker - Arnold Epstein
- Michael Dolan - James J. Hennessey
- Penelope Ann Miller - Daisy Hannigan
Markus Flanagan - Roy Selridge; Casey Siemaszko - Donald Carney; Park Overall - Rowena; Natalie Canerday - Girl at Dance; Christopher Ginnaven - Corporal Ginnaven; Mark Jacobs - Pinelli; Kirby Mitchell - 1st Digger; Alan Pottinger - Peek; Norman Rose - Newsreel Announcer; David Whitman - Tower Officer; Jeff Bailey - Mess-hall Corporal; Michael Haley - Corporal Haley; Ben Hynum - Private Lindstrom; Tom Kagy - 3rd Digger; Dave Kienzle - Coporal; Matthew Kimbrough - Spitting Cook; Morris Mead - Corporal Mead; Christopher Phelps - Private Phelps; A. Collin Roddey - Private Roddey; Bill Russell - Rifle Instructor; Scott Sudbury - Private Sudbury; Allen Turner - 2nd Digger; Andy Wigington - Corporal Wigington
