10 Direction: Reiner perfectly paces a 2+ hour film, giving all the cast freedom to actually act and develop the story beautifully without any scene dragging.

9 Cinematography and score: excellent scenes and music; making you believe you are there.

8 Despite your feeling on Cruise (God, I hate people who judge his couch-jumping to his talent on film) he delivers a perfect transfer from 80s hot-shot/top-gun to real acting. Watch him challenge Jessep in the closing.

7 It simply had the unfortunate timing of coming out the same year as 'Unforgiven' and 'Scent of a Woman' and lost best pic. Both of those were excellent movies and it would be tough for any voter.

6 All actors given time to show depth, creativity and originality. I absolutely loved Moore, Bacon, Sutherland, Pollak and Cruise.

5 In addition, even though everyone's performance was spectacular and Nicholson's was a brief one, he still stole his scenes and strongly deserved an Oscar. (I mean, c'mon…'You can't handle the truth!' scene was worth an award.)

4 The Dialogue. Please, the main characters were good enough at bantering back and forth, but just witness the conversation between Cruise and the newspaper man.

3 Chess = Courtroom. If Cruise's Kaffee performance wasn't evidence the direct correlation between chess and courtroom, I don't know what will. (i.e. Where's the mess-hall?)

2 How many movies since 1950 have you seen end with "The End"? They seemed to know this would be a classic, without excessive violence, language, no sex or nudity.

1 Everything, and I mean EVERY THING in this movie worked…but simply judge it on one of the BEST SCENES of any movie ever: "You can't handle the truth!"

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10/10

Thought Provoking Drama From Rob Reiner

In one of the most telling scenes in this movie, Navy Lieutenant Commander Jo Galloway (Demi Moore), a lawyer who is helping to defend two Marines on trial for murder, is asked why she likes these guys so much. And she replies, `Because they stand on a wall, and they say ‘nothing is going to hurt you tonight, not on my watch'.' Which veritably sums up the sense of duty and honor which underscores the conflict of `A Few Good Men,' directed by Rob Reiner, and starring Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise. There is a code by which a good Marine must live and die, and it is: Unit, Corps, God, Country. But to be valid, that code must also include truth and justice; and if they are not present, can the code stand? Which is the question asked by director Reiner, who examines the parameters of that code with this film, which centers on the murder of a young Private First Class named William Santiago, who was killed while stationed at the Marine Corps base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The case draws the attention of Commander Galloway, Special Counsel for Internal Affairs in the Judge Advocate General's Corps in Washington, D.C. Galloway, taking into consideration the impeccable service records of the two Marines charged with the crime, convinces her superiors that a thorough investigation is warranted in this case, though there are those in high places who would rather see this one plea bargained and put to rest.

Galloway persists, however, believing that Santiago's death may have resulted from a `Code Red,' a method of disciplinary hazing employed in certain circles of the Corps, though illegal. And if this was a Code Red, the real question is, who gave the order? Ultimately, her tenacity prevails, but though Galloway is a seasoned lawyer, she has little actual courtroom experience, so Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee (Cruise) is assigned to the case, along with Lieutenant Sam Weinberg (Kevin Pollak), with Galloway, as ranking officer, to assist. Kaffee, the son of a legendary lawyer, has skated through the first nine months of his Naval career, successfully plea bargaining forty-four cases. Outwardly upbeat and personable, Kaffee seems more concerned with his softball game than he does with the time he has to spend on the job. But underneath, he's coping with living his life in the shadow of his late father's reputation, which is an issue with which he must come to terms if he is to successfully effect the outcome of this case. And on this one he will have a formidable opponent: Colonel Nathan R. Jessup (Nicholson), who commands the base at Guantanamo.

As Jessup, Nicholson gives a commanding performance, and once he enters the film you can sense the tension he brings to it, which begins to swell immediately, and which Reiner does a great job of maintaining right up to the end. Jessup is a soldier of the old guard, a man of narrow vision and a particular sense of duty; to Jessup there's two ways of doing things: His way and the wrong way. He's a man who-- as he says-- eats breakfast three hundred yards away from the enemy, and he's not about to let a couple of lawyers in dress whites intimidate him. And that's exactly the attitude Nicholson brings to this role. When he speaks, you not only hear him loud and clear, you believe him. It's a powerful performance and, as you would expect from Nicholson, entirely convincing and believable.

Cruise, also, gives what is arguably one of the best performances of his career as Kaffee. He perfectly captures the aloofness with which Kaffee initially regards the case, as well as the determination with which he pursues it later. Cruise is convincing in the role, and some of the best scenes in the film are the ones he plays opposite Nicholson in the courtroom, the most memorable being one in which Kaffee exclaims to Jessup, `I want the truth!' to which Jessup replies, `You can't handle the truth!' And the atmosphere fairly crackles.

Moore is outstanding, as well, and she manages to hold her own and make her presence felt even in the scenes dominated by Nicholson and Cruise. It's a fine piece of acting by Moore, who deserves more than just a passing mention for it. Also turning in notable performances are Pollak, whose dry humor adds such an extra touch to the film, and Wolfgang Bodison, who makes an impressive screen debut as Lance Corporal Dawson, on of the Marines on trial for the murder of Santiago.

The supporting cast includes Kiefer Sutherland (Kendrick), Kevin Bacon (Ross), James Marshall (Downey), J.T. Walsh (Markinson), Cuba Gooding Jr. (Hammaker) and Christopher Guest (Dr. Stone). A powerful drama, superbly delivered by Reiner, `A Few Good Men' is a thought provoking, unforgettable motion picture that makes you take pause for a moment to consider some things that are for the most part out of sight and out of mind. Like who is on that wall tonight, and are we safe because of him. And it makes you reflect upon some things perhaps too often taken for granted. And that's what really makes this film so good; and it's all a part of the magic of the movies. I rate this one 10/10.

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9/10

Nicholson is great

A good film is what A Few Good Men is. It is not perfect but especially the performances take this film to a higher level. Tom Cruise and Demi Moore as the 'good guys' are good, as is Kevin Bacon. But the 'bad guys' make this movie really good. Kiefer Sutherland and most of all Jack Nicholson are masterful.

The story is interesting and well told. We all know the truth from the beginning, or we think we do, but the movie is still exciting in its own way.

I liked this movie very much, it was never boring, and I was real pleased that some of the cliches you normally see in a movie like this one were left out. If you like a good story, good directing and perfect performances this is your movie. 9/10.

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10/10

Awesome Courtroom Drama

A young hotshot naval lawyer (Cruise) is given what seems to be an open and shut case of two marines murdering another while he slept. Cruise, who has a reputation for plea bargaining was assigned by division, to defend the accused. Could it be so it never sees the inside of a courtroom?

Over seeing the defence of the accused is Demi Moore, from internal affairs, who is renowned for her attention to detail. She believes their innocence and suspects a cover up.

In charge of the marine unit in question is Jack Nicholson, a hard-ass marine who commands respect and demands the best.

With outstanding performances from Jack Nicholson, Tom Cruise, and Yes Demi Moore as well. The plot develops, and the conspiracy surrounding the case becomes apparent. And its up to Cruise to lay his career on the line to find the truth.

This movie is a powerful drama, and is fantastically well made.

I love it 10/10

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10/10

"You wanna investigate me, roll the dice and take your chances."

Warning: Spoilers

Once this picture enters the courtroom it becomes riveting. The build up is intriguing as well in it's many aspects of discovering information and the principals feeling each other out regarding temperaments and personalities. I've usually been on the fence about Tom Cruise as an actor, I guess because I equate him with the Daniel Kaffee we're first introduced to, a cocky and brash hot-shot lieutenant who can do no wrong and has a record supporting his arrogance. What's interesting is that I like him as Jack Reacher, but don't care for him much in the early part of this picture, or as Vincent Lauria in "The Color of Money". But with the passage of time, I can better appreciate him as an actor now, and revisiting this film has a lot to do with that perception.

And what can you say about Jack Nicholson? You know his presence here will take you on an emotional roller coaster ride with the take no prisoners approach to running his unit at Guantanamo Bay. With this role, Nicholson calls to mind George C. Scott in 1970's "Patton" as the kind of forceful and arrogant military leader who sees things only one way. My only qualm about the story is during the courtroom scene when the hot headed Colonel Nathan R. Jessep admits to the Code Red violation. I didn't think back in 1992 when I first saw this, nor did I think when I watched the movie again the other day, that a soldier of Jessep's qualities would crack the way he did under questioning by Lieutenant Kaffee. That was certainly a dramatic scene heightened by the intensity of both actors, but I couldn't see Jessep getting tricked like that. Still, I can overlook that minor glitch to give this film a top rating.

What I had forgotten about regarding the picture was the appearance of all those top quality young players who went on to even bigger and better things, like Keifer Sutherland, Kevin Bacon, and Noah Wyle. Sam Weinberg and Demi Moore were also more than competent in their roles backing Cruise's Kaffee. With the passage of time this film has grown in my estimation, and is one I'd recommend for anyone who enjoys emotional courtroom drama.

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10/10

"ATTENTION, There's An Officer On Deck"

After what is in this day and age a remarkable run for a drama on Broadway, 497 performances from 1989 to 1991 Aaron Sorkin's A Few Good Men was given the class A treatment in terms of a cast. It was also nominated in several categories for Oscars, including Jack Nicholson as the powerful and malevolent commandant of the U.S. Marines on the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba for Best Actor.

One of the many Nicholson quoted lines by impersonators is that famous "you can't handle the truth" during a cross examination. Tom Cruise who asks the question for which that's the answer is not so certain he can and neither is the audience which is riveted to their collective seats watching this courtroom duel.

Every player worth his salt wants a courtroom drama in their resume because of the inherent conflict and drama built in on a good case. The case here is two marines, Wolfgang Boddison and James Marshall, who are on trial for murder of a fellow marine on Guantanamo Bay. They are being prosecuted by Kevin Bacon and are defended by a team of navy lawyers that include Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, and Kevin Pollak. This death turns out to have national implications as Nicholson is up for a big Pentagon job. Of course there's a lot more to it than that, but can we handle the truth.

Paramount had the good sense to get playwright Aaron Sorkin to adapt his own play for the screen and he and director Rob Reiner do a grand job in bringing it to the screen. There's no trace at all of the stage origins of this story, they've done their work that well.

Besides those I've already mentioned pay attention to J.T. Walsh as Nicholson's conscience stricken second in command and Kiefer Sutherland as the hard-nosed platoon leader of the accused men.

My favorites in this film are the two defendants and Tom Cruise. Cruise does a wonderful job as a navy lawyer who grows from a deal maker to a passionate advocate for what Nicholson says he can't handle. Cruise's scenes with the defendants, especially Boddison, are the most touching in the film. You will get a tear in your eye when Boddison smartly salutes Cruise and offers the review title quote.

To me A Few Good Men belongs on the top five list for all of the cast members involved. Don't miss it if it's broadcast, it's the best military court martial film since The Caine Mutiny.

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8/10

Best Court Drama Ever?

Neo military lawyer Danny Kaffee (Tom Cruise) defends Marines accused of murder; they contend they were acting under orders.

Peter Travers of Rolling Stone magazine said "That the performances are uniformly outstanding is a tribute to Rob Reiner (Misery), who directs with masterly assurance, fusing suspense and character to create a movie that literally vibrates with energy." Richard Schickel in Time magazine called it "an extraordinarily well-made movie, which wastes no words or images in telling a conventional but compelling story." Todd McCarthy in Variety magazine predicted, "The same histrionic fireworks that gripped theater audiences will prove even more compelling to filmgoers due to the star power and dramatic screw-tightening."

I just wanted to share that, because all I can say is I agree entirely.

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10/10

You Won't Know What To Believe When The Credits Roll

Warning: Spoilers

To me, the mark of a truly excellent film is in its ability (through both great acting and a solid plot) to make us, the viewers, think just a little bit harder about whatever topic was being discussed in the film. "A Few Good Men" is the epitome of that sort of movie.

For a basic plot summary, the film begins with a seemingly innocent incident at the United States military base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, that turns tragic when a death is the end result. A young hot-shot lawyer, Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise) is assigned to the case and, after originally taking little interest in it, starts to get sucked in as the denials mount and the excuses begin. Asked to defend the honor of two young Marines in court, Kaffee dives headlong into the seemingly unwinnable case, even taking it to the highest level by interrogating Colonel Nathan Jessep (Jack Nicholson) on the witness stand.

What makes this film so emotionally gripping is the idea that both sides ("Kaffee vs. Jessep") have a valid argument (and thanks to the superb direction of Rob Reiner, both are allowed the time to make it). While Kaffee is fighting for justice in the death of a Marine, Jessep is trying to uphold the Marine code (Unit, Corps., God, Country). Through the courtroom back-and-forth, both parties lay out there "arguments", with neither one ultimately winning or losing in the end. The viewer is left, upon the film's conclusion, in a very reflective mood, pondering the many messages that have been touched on.

Also helping matters is the incredible acting performances from a very deep cast. Cruise, Nicholson, and Demi Moore are terrific as the leads, while Kevin Bacon, Kiefer Sutherland, Kevin Pollak, and James Marshall (among others) turn in moving characters/scenes as well. The final confrontation between Cruise & Nicholson, the apex of the film, is so emotionally gripping and taut with tension that it has to be considered one of the greatest scenes Hollywood has ever produced.

Thus, this is as easily a five-star movie as can be seen, due to its interesting and thought- provoking plot, real-life setting, and inspired acting performances. No matter your political or social views, "A Few Good Men" will get you thinking about the reasons behind those beliefs.

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10/10

Good, Sophisticated, Courtroom Drama with a Stellar Cast

This is one of the better courtroom dramas of all time. It starts Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, Kevin Bacon, Jack Nicholson and others. It involves the killing of a Marine be a couple of his colleagues during what is called a Code Red. That is an abusive act to teach him a lesson about his incompetence. So we go to a court martial and Tom Cruise's character, a lawyer with very little courtroom experience, is asked to defend these guys. Kevin Bacon is the prosecutor. He is assisted by Demi Moore and another lawyer, and they realize early on how far over their heads they are. Soon they are facing evidence of cover ups and manipulations that cloud the issues all the way along. But the principles are diligent. Nicholson plays a hard nosed Colonel who sees the Marines above the law and subject to its own set of laws. Cruise's confrontation with Nicholson is one of the most famous in movie history. This is a truly fine film that has grown on me since I first saw it.

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"Fast-Food, Slick-Ass, Persian-Bazaar"

Guantanamo Bay is, apart possibly from the 38th Parallel in Korea, the only place left on earth where the US Military still confronts hostile Stalinism, eyeball to eyeball. Ceded to the USA after the Spanish-American War of 1898, Guantanamo is America's only outpost on the island of Cuba. Marines guarding the perimeter of the naval base are under immense pressure. Here in the Cold War's last remaining hotspot, they are responsible for protecting the Free World.

A border incident has occurred. A marine sentry has fired a 'live' round in the direction of the communists. One of his colleagues has informed on him, bringing on himself a 'code red'. The 'code red' is an unofficial disciplinary measure, imposed by a marine squad when a member offends against the unit's esprit de corps. Having been gagged, bound and beaten, the marine dies at his colleagues' hands. There will now be a court-martial.

Demi Moore plays Lieutenant-Commander Joanne Galloway, a lawyer in the Navy's Internal Affairs Department. A deft plot device has her rehearsing to herself a request to be assigned to the case as she walks across the parade ground, efficiently conveying necessary information to the viewer.

Dan Kaffee (Tom Cruise) is a smart, flippant, good-looking young Navy lawyer. His father was a renowned jurist, and Dan feels the burden of his father's reputation. Indeed, his casual, tongue-in-cheek attitude to the law is his way of avoiding comparison with his father. You can't fail if you don't even try.

Kaffee is assigned to defend the two marine privates accused of killing the informer. Why a junior officer should be given conduct of such a serious case is baffling, unless of course the Marine Corps wants these men to be found guilty, in order to protect somebody more important...

Colonel Nathan Jessep is fascinating. Jack Nicholson always turns in a magnetic performance, but this one is special. He makes his character by turns urbane, self-assured, sarcastic, professional and menacing.

Gradually, Demi and Tom start to pull together and to function as a defence team. The 'code red' doctrine is exposed as a pernicious practice.

If the film is a stock courtroom drama pretty much like all the others, it certainly has qualities which set it apart. Three outstanding performances from the stars, Nicholson, Cruise and Moore, make it a bit special. The denouement is very hard to believe, but there are things in the film which linger in the memory and compensate for the exaggerations of the plot.

The opening credits roll over lovingly-filmed images of a precision-drill rifle squad in action. The viewer is, from the very start, placed emotionally in the context of a severe, inflexible discipline which is both admirable and unnerving. Kaffee indulges in some sparkling legal jockeying. Though he may lack trial experience, we feel that he will defend these men ably. He is nobody's fool. The flirtatious bickering between Kaffee and Galloway is well done. Jessep's walk to the witness stand is a moment of high drama, with Nicholson filmed from a low angle, emphasising the formidable authority of the man.

This clever, highly-polished film finally convinced me that Cruise can act. As for Demi, I am still unable to figure her out. What is it about her that remains stubbornly unsympathetic? She has abundant intelligence and talent, and is exquisitely beautiful, and yet is is impossible to warm to her. Does she get these parts because of her dark personality, or do the roles colour our perception of her?

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10/10

The Second Coming of Maverick!

Naval Pilot Lt Pete (Maverick) Mitchell from Top Gun is resurrected as another Naval Lieutenant, this time Daniel Kaffee, in Rob Reiner's outstanding military courtroom drama, A Few Good Men.This is not to demean Tom Cruise's performance as Kaffee in any way. If there was ever any doubt about the guy's acting chops, this film should dispel it. There's no doubt the film required a Maverick like legal eagle and really I suppose, who better than the man himself. Cruise plays a talented, arrogant, young Naval JAG lawyer, untested in trial work, who is assigned as the defence counsel, in the court-martial of two U.S. Marines charged with the murder of a fellow Marine. It is initially thought he will do a quick plea bargain deal (which he does specialise in) to facilitate a rapid legal reckoning. But spurred on by co-counsel Jo Galloway (Demi Moore) and the 2 defendants, who want nothing to do with a plea bargain, the lawyers, initially reluctantly, prepare a case to defend their clients.

The movie has 3 huge positives going for it.

It has an outstanding screenplay written by Aaron Sorkin based on his Broadway play and buffed up by William Goldman. How it was never nominated for an Academy Award, I'll just never know. (Howard's End won in 1993. Yes, a good film, but does it have the memorable passages of dialogue of AFGM.? I don't think so.) The movie is well over 2 hours long. It's not an action movie. It's not even a thriller. It is pure engaging drama with a gripping, easily followed storyline, that demands your attention from go to whoa.

The casting is impeccable. The list is just ridiculously deep, with (then) rising luminaries such as Noah Wyle, Cuba Gooding Jr and Xander Berkeley filling fairly minor supporting roles. The main list just bulges with acting talent. Demi Moore again demonstrates why she is much more than a pretty face. Kiefer Sutherland gives a chilling portrayal of an officer guided more by fundamentalism than ethical beliefs. Kevin Bacon establishes himself as an excellent prosecuting foil for Cruise's defence lawyer and the late JT Walsh, is a model of competing inner turmoil and integrity, as the XO of the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba, the scene of the above-mentioned murder.

But the movie will be remembered for 2 especially noteworthy renditions; Cruise's and that of Jack Nicholson as Guantanamo. Base Commander Colonel Nathan Jessup who creates a volcanic impression, as the feared and rigidly authoritarian CO, ambitiously already planning his next move into the Pentagon strata levels. He's only in 4 scenes in the movie, but 2 of those, the lunch meeting and the final courtroom confrontation are enthrallingly dramatic encounters, loaded with gilt-edged famous lines sneeringly and snarlingly delivered by a trademark vintage Nicholson, whose acting was justifiably recognised with a supporting actor nomination.

On a third level, this film continued a run of success for director/producer Rob Reiner, that had begun with his debut mockumentary This is Spinal Tap and only stalled with his follow-up to AFGM, the box office bomb that was North. But from the opening scenes depicting the playing of "Semper Fidelis" by a U.S. Marine Corps marching band, and a Silent Drill performed by the Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets Fish Drill Team, Reiner reveals an assured hand in initially and instantly drawing the viewer into the consequential proceedings. He successfully maintains the engrossing setup, ensuring it is heightened by the referred to series of compelling and charismatic performances.

A Few Good Men is as a professionally produced and acted courtroom drama, as you'll ever likely see and an excellent entertainment to boot. Little Wonder it still holds number 5 spot in the American Film Institute list of top 10 Courtroom Dramas.

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9/10

Jack Nicholson as Nasty Jack, Tom Cruise as himself, Demi Moore as the worst lawyer in the history of the world...

... and yet I liked it! That's because, although there are a few subplots where you can see exactly where they are going, there are some that you do not. You do not get the ending you expect exactly either.

The set-up is this. Lt. Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise) is a JAG lawyer who defends two Marines who have been accused of murdering a fellow Marine by poison. Kaffee had arranged for a plea bargain that means the Marines are paroled in 6 months. But the marines insist on going to trial saying that PFC Santiago, the victim, was given corporal punishment via an order they received, and that they did not intentionally kill Santiago.

Instead, Santiago was a marine who was writing letters trying to get transferred out of Gitmo, raising the ire of Col. Nathan Jessup (Jack Nicholson), who sees just giving Santiago what he wants as a sign of weakness. (The audience sees this scene discussing Santiago, the characters do not.) But there is no proof this is what happened, and that is all that matters to Kaffee - what he can prove. Dawson is the leader of the two accused marines, and he sees going to trial as just part of his honor. He will not say he did what he did not. The other marine is none too bright, and just follows Dawson's lead.

So Kaffee can't figure out why the two defendants won't plead guilty. Lt. Comdr. Jo Anne Galloway (Demi Moore) is from internal affairs, assigned to this case because internal affairs sniffs a cover-up at Gitmo that is railroading the two marines. She is itching to go to trial. So Kaffee is eventually bullied into actually being a trial lawyer for once, but Galloway is just the world's worst lawyer. She makes pointless arguments that just tick people off, she makes points for the other side, and she prepares a witness for hours and doesn't notice something that is a key piece of evidence. Galloway should become a motivational speaker and leave the law behind IMHO.

Kevin Bacon is the prosecutor who has a Jack McCoy desire to win. Kiefer Sutherland is the superior officer of the two accused marines in Gitmo and is pitch perfect as a guy who has no curiosity for life outside of the rules of the marines and the King James Bible. I can't figure out what Kevin Pollak is even doing in this movie as he seems like a third wheel lawyer for the defense. Perhaps he is here as low key attorney and family man so this doesn't come across like St.Elmo's Fire in uniform. J.A. Preston lends a quiet dignity to the proceedings as the judge. And of course Jack Nicholson plays a military version of his usual persona.

I'd highly recommend it, but apparently the military didn't at the time, refused to endorse the film and refused to let shooting occur on military property. Good performances from the St. Elmo's Fire generation, all grown up, even though of the cast, only Demi Moore was in that movie. And Nicholson's presence lends to a dramatic conclusion, even though you could see it coming a mile away.

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10/10

Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson bring some seriously stellar performances to the table in this legal drama.

Starring: Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore This movie is for people who like lawyerly stuff and military type stuff. This movie is an episode of Jag on crack. This movie was made by Rob Reiner. Really, after that last statement, need I say more? If you didn't know that Rob Reiner did The Princess Bride, then hang your head in shame now.

It starts out in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, when a couple marines enter the room of another marine, stuff a rag down his throat, duct tape his mouth shut, duct tape his hands behind his back, duct tape his legs together, and so on. Then the credits roll and we cut to D.C., where we find out that the marine getting gagged and tied died that night. The two marines that were doing the gagging and tying are charged with murder and flown out to D.C.

The task of lead counsel is assigned to Daniel Kaffee (Cruise), a lieutenant junior grade with a track record for plea bargaining and smooth talking. Lt. Cmdr. Jo Galloway (Moore) is assigned to be co-counsel, despite the fact that she tried to get in as lead counsel. They start the investigation down in Cuba where they meet Col. Nathan Jessup (Nicholson), the man who ordered the two men to give Private Santiago the Code Red, which accidentally led to his death. Of course, Jessup doesn't tell this to Danny or Jo. Why would he? He'd look pretty bad for it, right? So when they get back to D.C. and do some legal maneuvering with their clients and the prosecution, Danny manages to get a deal for a mere two years of prison time, where they are actually home in six months. And the two that are charged turn it down on principle, because they still believe they have done nothing wrong. Danny decides that he wants to get a different lawyer assigned to the case because he doesn't want to go down with them, but then has a change of heart after talking to a few people and thinking about it.

So the trial starts, and that's when the movie really picks up speed. The skill that Danny has as he strides around the courtroom asking all the right questions and probing in just the right ways is phenomenal. It almost makes you want to be a lawyer.

There are some major setbacks along the way, some things go right, a lot more go wrong, but eventually everything turns out okay in the end. But like so many movies where we know how it's going to end, it was never really the ending we were banking on, but the fun of getting there.

Bottom Line: 4 out of 4 (own this movie)

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10/10

An awesome performances from Cruise, Bacon, and Nicholson!

Warning: Spoilers

Daniel Kaffkee(Tom Cruise)is a young JAG lawyer who has never been in a courtroom but has won plea bargins for his clients and is the lead defense counsel of two US Marines charged with the murder of an innocent Marine private, ordered by Col Nathan Jessup(Jack Nicholson). Despite not getting lead counsel Jo Galloway(Demi Moore in a wasted role), thinks Daniel needs to take up the case and not plea bargin. Despite a risk of getting court martial, Daniel takes the risk and puts the Colonel on the stand as the Col ordered the hazing of the poor misfit private. Cruise, Nicholson, and Kevin Bacon as the no-nonsense and winning prosecutor Captain Jack Ross give wonderful and commanding performances!

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One of my favorites

This is one of my favorite movies, and one of the best courtroom dramas ever. I can watch it over and over again. It's one of those movies that if I flip the channel and it's on, welp, that's it, I'm going to end up watching the entire thing. (Also in this category: Apollo 13. The constant? Kevin Bacon!) .. A Few Good Men is gripping. It's one of those rare films that is built almost entirely on it's dialogue, and succeeds brilliantly. The script is intelligent and thoroughly engaging. The directing is crisp and suspenseful. The performances are top-notch. Specifically, this is some of Tom Cruise's best work. There are, of course, a few unforgettable quotes, but the build up to these scenes is what makes them unforgettable. As the viewer, you feel like your fighting for justice right along side the cast. Their battle becomes yours, and the movie is all the more powerful for it.

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10/10

A beautiful courtroom drama movie

Now let' Start like this Jack Nicholson, Tom Cruise, Demi Moore and Kevin Bacon. This is one of the best and engaging courtroom dramas. You are surely gonna love this great movie.

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10/10

Slam dunk

This is my all-time favorite movie. I've probably watched it 300 times and I can recite it line by line. I once wrote the script during the course of one semester in a class I hated. I still have the notebook.

Demi Moore definitely is the film's weakest link, but the acting is superb and Aaron Sorkin's story sucks you in from the opening minute. There is so much great dialogue, headlined by Tom Cruise's courtroom battle with Jack Nicholson at the movie's climax.

Too many people say the movie is average because it's "too slow," but I really believe anyone who appreciates good acting and good stories has to put this one near the top of their list.

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10/10

My number one film of all time

This is officially my favorite film of all time! A bold statement, but one I truly stand by. The reason it rates so highly? Well, there's quite a few, but the most important being the glorious cast and the amazing script. Two factors that, when not in tandem, can seriously derail a film. But here it works together perfectly in sync.

There are quite a few career-best performances to be found here: Jack Nicholson at his growling best, Demi Moore as a true legal ball-buster, but it's Tom Cruise who deserves the most praise. His character, Daniel Kaffee, is a wise-cracking young lawyer who's in for the trial of his life. But the way Cruise infuses his character with slight nuances and cocky grins make him seem very charming, plus all the witty one-liners uttered by Cruise should keep you chuckling every time he and Demi Moore's Lt. Galloway face-off at each other.

The script is a fantastic courtroom drama, the kind of movie I love where as an audience you get to participate because you want to solve the case as well. This proves tricky, because early on, you know who's the guilty party, but the momentum of the film is carried by trying to prove that fact. Made trickier, when your case involves the U.S. military, where terms like God, country and code make up their daily life.

A consistently smart legal thriller, one that I continue to watch at least once every second week. Love that Tom Cruise wit.

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10/10

Mesmorizing court marshal drama!

This is a courtroom drama starring Tom Cruise as Lt. Daniel Kaffee, who is assigned to defend two marines accused of murdering a fellow colleague. Joining the defense team is Lt. Cdr. JoAnne Galloway (Demi Moore) and Lt. Sam Weinberg (Kevin Pollack), and all three engage in a rigorous attempt to help clear the marines, who contend that their assault against the colleague was a result of acting under orders.

While this film doesn't have much, if any, action scenes, the tense and riveting atmosphere of the court marshal makes the plot very captivating and the high momentum of the defense vs. prosecution case keeps your mind mesmerized.

Tom Cruise's Lt. Kaffee character was a bit of a turn-off at first because of his indifferent behavior toward Lt. Cdr. Galloway and his nonchalant response toward the cast. However, his character grew to be quite likable once the case progressed throughout the movie and his partnership with Galloway came into fruition. I enjoyed seeing Kaffee's humor and Galloway's collected and commanding personality as they deal with the case with all the odds stacked up against them, from the prosecutor Capt. Jack Ross (Kevin Bacon) to the intimidating Col. Nathan R. Jessup (Jack Nicholson). Nicholson's delivery was spot-on, owning to those who question his authority; he makes sure that those who shows him the least courtesy realizes what his rank is and what he goes through as a lieutenant colonel, as he powerfully depicts. In addition, the exchanges between him and Kaffee are what I think the highlight of the film.

All the legal stuff, case examinations and witness testimony are thought provoking; they make for a very captivating film and one to see for any drama movie fans.

Grade A

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9/10

A Command Production

A hotshot young Navy lawyer named Lt. Dan Kaffee (Tom Cruise) teams up, rather grudgingly, with a female officer named Lt. Cdr. JoAnne Galloway (Demi Moore), to defend two soldiers accused of murder, in the death of a Marine trainee at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The film captures two stories in sync; accusations of murder against, and the subsequent trial of, the defendants, and the change in Kaffee that these events inspire. At the outset we learn that Kaffee is the son of a famous military man. As a result, Kaffee comes across as smug and flippant in the film's first half. Not much is demanded of him; his life as a routine Navy lawyer is easy enough. But as he sets out to defend the soldiers, his courage is tested when he must confront Marine VIPs, especially the dreaded and intimidating Col. Nathan Jessep (Jack Nicholson). As much a character study of Kaffee as a story of military justice, the film is about taking risks, and going beyond one's fears.

"A Few Good Men" is a topnotch, command production. The plot is riveting, especially in the second half courtroom scenes wherein Kaffee must spar with the prosecuting attorney (Kevin Bacon), and present his case before a very imposing judge. The film's color cinematography is excellent. The use of anamorphic optics inside the courtroom creates the perception of grand spaciousness, a visual depth and scope normally reserved for outdoor epics.

The film's detailed production design and costumes are highly credible. Background music is haunting and low-key. The cast contains some Hollywood big guns ... so to speak. And the acting is wonderful. There's not a weak performance in the bunch. Some of the acting by Tom Cruise may be a tad over-the-top, but it's entertaining. I was pleasantly surprised by his overall high caliber performance. Nicholson does a very good imitation of Jack Nicholson and as such, is fun to watch. And Director Rob Reiner gets terrific performances from Kevin Pollak, Kiefer Sutherland, and Noah Wylie, in support roles.

Marine Corps life at Gitmo during peacetime is not a subject that I would normally be interested in. And I could have done without all that ceremonial pomp at the beginning. But "A Few Good Men" is so well made overall that the film practically sells itself, despite the subject matter. The characters are interesting, the plot is absorbing, and I enjoyed watching Tom Cruise give a highly animated Perry Mason courtroom performance.

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10/10

10/10

This movie is certainly much better than a regular 7.6, the currently running rating. I think it deserves an overall rating closer to 9, its one of the best movies of all times.

There are actually very few evergreen movies that one likes to see again and again, this is one of them, you always feel great after watching it.

The final court room scene between Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson is electrifying. Without a single kiss, the chemistry between cruise and Moore is simply delicious, all characters are well developed, attention has been payed to every single detail.

One of my favorite scene is the one between Sam and Daniel after Downey's testimony where Cruise gets drunk - a really beautiful scene about how what our parents think about us, matters.

Worth collecting.

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10/10

you can't handle the truth

this movie kicks. it's one of my favorites. i like courtroom drama, and in my opinion, this is the best courtroom movie ever. i love the part when tom cruise, during his redirect, asks noah wyle how he knows where the mess hall is if it isn't in the marine guidebooks. is that a great scene or what? and of course the climax, when cruise has JACK on the stand, is exhilarating to watch, even after repeated viewings. nichalson may be slightly over the top as colonel jessup, but that's why he's so good in this movie. kieffer sutherland is perfect as kendrick. and of course i have to mention jt walsh as markinson, just because i think walsh was a great character actor, and he'll always be one of my favorites. my score-10.

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Can you handle the truth? Cracker(JACK) cast & script with Reiner at the top of his game

A FEW GOOD MEN (1992) ***1/2 Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore, Kevin Bacon, Keifer Sutherland, Kevin Pollak, James Marshall, JT Walsh, Wolfgang Bodison, Christopher Guest, Noah Wyle. Absorbing and crowd-pleasing adaptation of Aaron Sorkin's hit Broadway play from director Rob Reiner about two Marines charged with the murder of a fellow GI at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba with a tangled web of power and a green defense lawyer (excellently played by Cruise) assigned to follow the motions without a trial. Superb performances all around especially Nicholson in rare form as a colonel with one hell of a Napoleon complex. Trivial note: Bodison was a production assistant to Reiner from previous films; this is his acting debut.

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9/10

Watch it for Jack Nicholson and his dialogues

This is one of the movies, I have watched many many times. First few times, Tom Cruise seemed to be giving an ordinary performance; probably my shortcoming that I was not able to understand his character. But, then I realized that he was playing exactly the character he was supposed to portray and he did it in a impeccable manner - wow!!!! He was just second to Jack Nicholson.

I could not imagine if anyone else could have replaced Jack Nicholson - his stellar performance (as always) and the intensity and ferocity with which he delivered his dialogues - man, even his facial expressions at times were worth a watch.

Story line and plot don't seem to be so strong and there will be many people who would not agree with its end and even with the message of the movie, which is although not so clear but definitely points towards some of the not so best practices being followed in any country's army (over discipline in the name of straightening the people and getting things in order or even avoiding any further chaos or things being run by certain people just to settle their personal scores and run in a way they think is the best, even disregarding other people's reasonable opinions). However, the other things apart, movie was a treat to watch. Director Rob Reiner and writer Aaron Sorkin didn't leave any stone unturned when it came to dialogues in the movie - in fact, the dialogues delivered by each and every character (not only Jack Nicholson) have been simply stunning.

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7/10

Tense, absorbing, well acted courtroom drama...

Courtroom dramas are a favorite of mine and sometimes they work, sometimes not. A FEW GOOD MEN works, thanks to a fine script by Aaron Sorkin from his play, Rob Reiner's taut direction, and the extremely effective performances from a solid cast.

Not surprisingly, in a role that is tailor-made for his talents, JACK NICOLSON almost walks off with the film. Not quite, but almost. At least, he's the one who makes the deepest impression as the extremely bigoted, controlling officer who is never at a loss for explosive and sarcastic comments. He doesn't have that many scenes in the film, but when he's on camera, the fireworks are the strongest--and you know that there will be a final confrontation for the wind-up that will have him and TOM CRUISE face to face in a shouting match.

TOM CRUISE does well as the lawyer defending two young marines on a murder charge and DEMI MOORE is satisfactory as his assistant. But their performances never quite reach the degree of power that Nicholson's does, restricted as they are by less showy roles.

Discovering the story behind the marine's murder and the facts surrounding that mystery is what holds audience interest from start to finish. Facts are revealed, little by little, and we know we're in for a final showdown between the rather callow young lawyer and the hardened marine officer with the chip on his shoulder. Compelling drama, well worth watching.