Write letter to Roger Ebert re: his reviews of Full Metal Jacket and Benji the Hunted.
Dear Mr. Ebert, (Can I call you Roger?)
I am writing to you because I disagree with your review of Full Metal Jacket and Benji the Hunted.
I wonder if we watched the same movie. Did you only watch it once and form this opinion? Like all Kubrick films, several viewings are advised. Kubrick had a movie vision different from any other. Clearly, what you consider a ferociously consistent vision differs from that of the director. I know you have seen other films of his.
Who cares if the movie was shot in England rather than Vietnam - I have to say this movie rivals Platoon, Apocalypse Now, and The Deer Hunter for the illustrating a behind the scenes look at Vietnam. This movie is supposed to be a dark comedy. Maybe, you missed that. It's alright, it happens.
Roger, maybe you find fault with this as you said you can only watch so much footage of a man crouched behind a barrier, pinned down by sniper fire, before the situation turns into a cinematic cliche. . . Have seen a battlefield other than those portrayed throughout movies? Because in war, that's what happens, all the crouching and sniper fire, call it cliche if you want but men and women risk their lives for our freedoms.
Like all movies, characters are brought in to fulfill a purpose. . . After the departure of his two most memorable characters, the sergeant and the tubby kid, he is left with no characters that we really care much about. And in a key scene at the end, when a marine feels joy after finally killing someone, the payoff is diminished because we don't give a damn about the character. . . Whether or not, you know what the purpose is; the director does, the screenwriter does, and eventually the audience does to. We may not like it but we are just here to watch it and enjoy it.
It's a piece of cinematic history and you are wrong to not think so.
As for Benji the Hunted, it must of warmed your heart when Benji cuddled the tiger cubs. Also, if I wanted to see a film based on the nature photography, I'd watch a documentary, thanks. Based on the that Benji doesn't warrant a thumbs up.
Sincerely,
Anthony DiNozzo
This may have been the most difficult Bucket List number. . . Thanks for all the reviews and alerts. I appreciate it!
