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38 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Eagles Fly from Mountains High: A Powerful Journey, May 20, 2008
This film is a classic and viscerally honest portrayal of human conflict and personal growth. It clearly depicts working class young adults who sought to break away from past barriers and limitations and build better lives for themselves. It is a coming of age story, where a full spectrum of feelings are explored as young adults learn about fulfilling their potential, building value systems and attempting to fulfill personal desires with honesty and integrity on many levels. Two hot young stars were cast in the leading roles: Richard Gere who was riding high on his recent success in "American Gigolo" and Debra Winger who shined in her role in "Urban Cowboy". With stars of this caliber, it surprised me to learn (in the Special Features section) that doubts existed about the film's acceptance by theater audiences. In fact, the script had made the rounds of different studios for eight years, with no one daring to make the film which was essentially about training Naval pilots. The concern was it was too close to the end of the Viet Nam War and would be rejected by the public as being about war. Luckily, the film was interpreted very differently by the viewing audience who saw it in a positive light where personal survival, transformation and the expression of love were the key elements successfully played out on film. Richard Gere stars as Zack Mayo, a hardened, slightly rebellious loner who locked up his feelings and dared not get emotionally close to people. He had been hurt as a youth when his mother committed suicide and he went to live with his dad, who was a selfish womanizer and alcoholic. When Zack announced his acceptance into Naval candidacy school to become a pilot, his father did not give him accolades or support. This was nothing new and it did not matter to Zack who pursued his dream with determination and courage. At the Port Townsend Naval Base, Zack learned discipline and made new friends. The camaraderie of being candidates and challenging themselves to acheive their goals awakened something new within him which totally transformed him. Zack excelled in physical survival skills and martial arts training. It was Gunnery Sergeant Foley's job to detect weakness of character and courage, to eliminate candidates who would not survive under the harsh conditions of war. Foley knew of Zack's streetwise rebellious tendencies and rode him hard. Foley and Zack clashed periodically and one climactic scene especially stood out ... where Foley meted out severe discipline and punishment to get Zack to ask for a "D.O.R" slip (drop out on request). Zack endured the punishment and after a particularly difficult session of physical endurance tests, Zack *finally* gut wrenchingly admitted, "I got nowhere else to go" ... Besides the obvious story about a group of young adults who under go rigorous training to become Naval pilots, several other stories arise and are fully developed within the plot which makes this film so highly appealing. Early on, Sgt Foley warned the candidates that young ladies who work in local factories, come from across the Puget Sound, to meet Naval candidates, with one goal in mind: to marry a Navy pilot. They will stoop to any means to win their man. Zack and his friend Sid are dressed to kill in their white uniforms during a social dance where they connect with two charming and beautiful factory workers of similar age to themselves. Paula a raven-haired beauty, played by Deborah Winger is paired with Zack, while Lynette, an attractive blond is paired with Sid. The attraction between the paired off guys and ladies is mutual and in a short time, they often meet for consensual physical liasons, even going to a local motel when the candidates are on leave. While everyone agrees it is with "no strings attached", the ladies have secret agendas with hopes of marriage. Zack attempts to play the gentleman, by going to meet Paula's parents and have dinner at their home. However, he still holds back and makes no promises to Paula. Paula plays it cool, claiming to expect nothing but she *does* manage to melt his cool exterior when their physical relationship becomes more steamy and personal. The guys discuss their plans to break off the liasons after graduation. As the end of their training is near, the two candidates cool their relationships with the two ladies. Lynette pulls a trick to win Sid, that backfires in ways totally unimaginable. She refuses Sid's engagement ring which results in one of the saddest, most gut-wrenching, heart-breaking and realistic scenes ever depicted on film. This earth-shattering event shakes Zack up and makes him realize what is real and important in his life ... While the ending may arguably be interpreted by some as corny and hokey, in effect, it is very satisfying and provides an honest and fulfilling conclusion to the film. Erika Borsos [pepper flower]
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32 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's an everlasting, romantic entertainment!, February 26, 2000
Initially, my first impression of this movie was this movie was going to be boring. Then, after the first 20 minutes, my mind went into another direction. I found this movie to be interesting, and I knew there had to be some meaning to the movie. And indeed there was! Zack Mayo, (Richard Gere) is a college graduate who pursues a chance to become a naval officer by entering the Officer Candidate Training School. In 14 solid weeks, Zack progresses and learns the ability of leadership, friendship, and discipline, through his tough drill instructor, (Louis Gossett Jr, in his Oscar-winning performance), and his friends. Mood and tone are expressed intelligently through the emotions of adventure, torture, romance, and entertainment. My favorite aspect of this movie is Jack Nitzsche's unforgettable scoring. The mood and tone ties in together as the music plays, and makes the audiences feel spontaneous of what they are watching (especially with the love themes). This movie, starring Richard Gere, Debra Winger, David Keith, Lisa Blount, Louis Gossett Jr., Robert Loggia, and Lisa Eilbacher, was the winner recipient of 2 Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actor: LOUIS GOSSETT JR., and Best Original Song: "UP WHERE WE BELONG." Also nominated for 4 additional Academy Awards, including Best Actress: DEBRA WINGER, Best Original Screenplay: DOUGLAS DAY STEWART, Best Original Score: JACK NITZSCHE, Best Film editing, and nominated for a total of 8 Golden Globes, this movie unmarks the boundary between love and adventure. Richard Gere, even though nominated for a Golden Globe, should of been nominated for an Oscar. His outstanding performance brought the true nature of what it's like to be his character. This was the performance of his entire career! With a clear-cut picture, and sharp sound, this movie will never grow old in your home! I would positively recommend this movie to another.
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10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Formulaic Film Done To Perfection--This "Officer" Still Packs An Emotional Wallop, May 13, 2007
While no one would ever accuse me of being a romantic, I'll still maintain that "An Officer and a Gentleman" is one of the most affecting films within that genre. Even after 25 years, the film holds up and transcends its flaws to be a powerful and satisfying emotional journey. The film is riddled with cliche'd and oft-used premises and the ending is overly sentimental (when other films have attempted the same thing, I've absolutely cringed)--but none of that matters. With remarkable and raw performances, "Officer" taps into a primal nerve and makes even the most familiar movie formulas seem fresh and vital. I'll make no apologies--I think "An Officer and a Gentleman" is one terrific film! Richard Gere stars as Zach Mayo--a charming, rebellious, and somewhat amoral badboy. Improbably entering the Naval Academy in an attempt to become a pilot, he immediately clashes with Louis Gossett, Jr. as his supervisor. Learning about teamwork and friendship, his life is further complicated by a local girl (Debra Winger) looking to latch onto a promising future. The film alternates between Gere's progress at the Academy and his burgeoning romance with Winger--but it seems unlikely that either are a good fit. It's a classic story of reform, of overcoming adversity, of making the right choices to become a better person. But what might be mawkish and predictable comes alive with tremendously real performances! While Gossett won an Oscar as the imperious drill sergeant, and Winger was nominated--the film, in many ways, belongs to Richard Gere. Cunningly believable as the selfish antihero, his evolution throughout the film is remarkably genuine. With much energy and bravado, his performance should have garnered him a Best Actor nomination. In one of the film's most powerful moments, as he proclaims to Gossett that he has "nowhere else to go," his emotion is so raw and all encompassing that I've never forgotten that scene. Gere commands the film so fully, it's interesting to compare it to the more subdued work of his later career. I'd also single out Lisa Blount as Winger's best friend. Cast in a somewhat villainous light, Blount expertly conveys the desperation and ambition of a woman doing whatever is necessary to improve her circumstances in life. The notoriously difficult (real life) relationship between Winger and Gere on this film proves once again that off-screen antics have little to do with on-screen magic. Channeling their hatred for one another, their romantic and sexual liaisons have a realistic power and aggression that is rare even today. Fierce and independent, these two literally crash together in unexpected--but believable--ways. Old fashioned, yet surprisingly modern, "An Officer and a Gentleman" is supremely entertaining. It will tug at your emotions, but it is never overly manipulative as it has earned our investment with its great characterizations! Highly recommended as drama, romance, or even as a character study--revisit "Officer" now that it has a more deserving DVD release. KGHarris, 05/07.
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