Born On The Fourth Of July Film Analysis

Patriotism. Glory. Serving and being a part of something bigger. These concepts tend to be attached to joining a military and serving to fight in a war, and the glorification of war and fighting strikes the hearts and minds of much of the populace. However, none of these concepts and glorifications are found in reality. Morality, and the will to fight is shaken under the truth of war and the distinction from right and wrong is blurred. Forms of expression like art, music, and more recently, films have been created to show those who are safe from war’s grasp its raw naked form, and the effects that transpire to the men that experienced it. Films, especially, are effective in conveying messages to a massive amount of people, as they are effective in engaging an audience to their topic. Films are powerful at communicating messages about war because of effective storytelling, basis in real life events and examples, and the sheer reality of the presented content. With the 20th and 21st century seeing much …show more content…
They are all equally engaging and are successful in how they present their subjects. Born on the Fourth of July is a biography of a Vietnam veteran, which is also directed by a Vietnam veteran. Suffice to say, their work is accurate, as they themselves had first-hand experience. While watching the film, the audience joins the character in his experiences as a young man, a soldier, a veteran, and an anti-war activist. One can see how the main character degrades from a hopeful and enthusiastic young man to a paralyzed alcoholic with posttraumatic stress. He learned from his naivete and he recovered to join a cause that he knows is just and goes on to tell everybody the reality of the war. This makes the audience agree and feel for his goals later on, making the film effective at relaying its views. Thus, it is also effective at influencing viewers and their perspective on the