Plot
The film begins in 1965, when disc jockey Adrian Cronauer (Robin Williams) is assigned to take over the AFR's Saigon radio broadcasts. In contrast to the dull, by-rote announcers that have preceded him, Cronauer is a bundle of dynamite, heralding each broadcast with a loud "Goooooood morning, Vietnaaaaam," playing whatever records tickle his fancy (even those not officially sanctioned by his hidebound superiors), and indulging in wild flights of improvisational fancy. Cronauer's immediate superior Lt. Hauk (Bruno Kirby), whose own notions of humor are puerile and pathetic, jealously attempts to dethrone Vietnam's favorite rock jock. Fortunately, Cronauer's popularity is such that he enjoys the full protection of the higher-ups. But when Cronauer, after experiencing the horrors of war first-hand, insists upon telling his listeners the truth instead of the official government line, he is instantly replaced by the unfunny Hauk and must struggle to get back on the air. ~ Hal Erickson, RoviReview
Humor and war often make strange bedfellows but sometimes humor can have a therapeutic effect for postwar sentiments of anger, frustration and loss, especially in the case of the bitterly divisive Vietnam conflict. In the tradition of Hogan's Heroes and M.A.S.H. came Barry Levinson's Good Morning Vietnam, a pithy blend of satirical comedy and tragedy. Robin Williams gives a career-best caliber performance as the charismatic disc jockey, Adrian Cronaeur. Backed by an eclectic cast inclunding Forest Whitaker, Bruno Kirby, Robert Wuhl and character actors extraordinaire Noble Willingham and the late J.T. Walsh, Williams spins a dazzling, if not headspinning comedic web. This film is an important and derisive look back on the catastrophic military and political debacle that was Vietnam. Williams' wildly improvisational performance warranted an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. His scathing but hilarious carryings-on at the expense of the U.S. military is tempered by some dramatic and touching interactions with Vietnamese natives. Williams is engaging, bitingly sarcastic and heartwarmingly human all at once. Although awkwardly sequenced at times, Levinson's picture was a stupendous critical and financial success. ~ Mike DiBella, RoviCast
- Robin Williams - Adrian Cronauer
- Forest Whitaker - Edward Garlick
- Tung Thanh Tran - Tuan
- Chintara Sukapatana - Trinh
- Bruno Kirby - Lt. Steven Hauk
Credit
Steve Spence - Art Director, Steven Saxton - Associate Producer, Louis Di Giaimo - Casting, Harry Benn - Co-producer, Ben Moses - Co-producer, Keith Denny - Costume Designer, Bill Westley - First Assistant Director, Barry Levinson - Director, Raja Gosnell - Editor, Stu Linder - Editor, Alex North - Composer (Music Score), Eric Allwright - Makeup, Freddie Cooper - Camera Operator, Roy Walker - Production Designer, Peter Sova - Cinematographer, Larry Brezner - Producer, Mark Johnson - Producer, Tessa Davies - Set Designer, Fred Cramer - Special Effects, Clive Winter - Sound/Sound Designer, Clive Curtis - Stunts, Mitch Markowitz - Screenwriter, Clint Ballard, Jr. - Featured Music| Good Morning, Miss Dove (1955 Film), Good Morning, Judge (1943 Film) | |
| Good Morning... And Goodbye! (1967 Film), Good Neighbor Sam (1964 Film) |
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