Movie Description
Set in 1965; Produced and released in 1987.
In GOOD MORNING, VIETNAM, which is based on a true story, Cronauer (Robin Williams) is a nonconformist with a wicked sense of humor who is transferred from Crete to Saigon. Outrageous and over the top, Cronauer speaks in accents, creates characters, pokes fun at everyone--including the President--and spins banned rock and roll tunes. While his antics amuse the masses, they also put him in hot water with his superior officers, particularly Lt. Steven Hauk (Bruno Kirby), who would prefer that the radio show be censored, sanitized, and completely noncontroversial. Cronauer takes his show outside the radio station when he starts to teach Vietnamese locals English in an effort to meet pretty, demure Trinh (Chintara Sukapatana). He befriends Trinh's brother, Tuan (Tung Thanh Tran), who becomes an unlikely comrade in uncertain times. Directed by Barry Levinson (DINER, AVALON), the film features a tour-de-force performance from Williams, who improvised much of the comedy used in the radio shows, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
| Credits | | Producer: | Larry Brezner, Mark Johnson | | Cast: | Cu Ba Nguyen, Floyd Vivino, J.T. Walsh, Richard Portnow |
| Details | | Sound: | HiFi Sound, Stereo Sound |
Notes
Theatrical release: December 23, 1987.
Filmed in Thailand.
GOOD MORNING, VIETNAM is number 100 on the American Film Institute's list of America's 100 Funniest Movies.
In real life, Adrian Cronauer became a popular Detroit deejay.
The scenes in which Adrian Cronauer (Williams) wears military fatigues while doing his show from the radio station were shot specifically for the trailer, to give the film more of a wartime feeling in its publicity campaign.
The Louis Armstrong song "What a Wonderful World," used to emotional effect in GOOD MORNING, VIETNAM, was not actually recorded until 1967, and the film is set in 1965.
Editorial Reviews
Rating: B+
Entertainment Weekly - pp.58-9 - Ty Burr (07/08/1994)
"...Williams is an extraordinary performer..."
Sight and Sound - p.212 - Anthony Quinn (06/01/1988)
"...Exceptionally strong....Williams's performance, though it's full of uproarious comedy, is the work of an accomplished actor. GOOD MORNING, VIETNAM is one man's tour de force..."
New York Times - Vincent Canby (12/23/1987)
"...GOOD MORNING, VIETNAM is pure Robin Williams vehicle and gives the performer his best chance yet to display his manic talent on screen. It's an impressive act..."
Variety - Jagr. (12/23/1987)
"...Williams at the mike is like a man possessed, purified, liberated. Startling chains of ideas and wild leaps of imagery pour out of him..."
Los Angeles Times - Michael Wilmington (12/25/1987)
| See an error? Submit a change request |
All rights reserved.
