Wehrlos - Die Tochter des Generals

'The General's Daughter' got a fair bit of flack from professional movie critics in it's day, but I think a lot of it was unwarranted. Sure it's a glossy Hollywood pic with an established director in Simon West and a treasure trove of a cast headlined by John Travolta & Madeleine Stowe, but it's also a crackerjack mystery with fine pacing, editing. The military element gets put to good use delivering equal parts shock & awe. My only complaint is I can't go back in time and have the surprises, reveal hit the same way like it did the first time.

CWO Paul Brenner (Travolta) a CID MP is on assignment at a military base in Georgia when Cpt. Elisabeth Campbell (Stefanson) is found dead in what appears to be a grisly rape/murder scene. Joined by WO1 Sarah Sunhill (Stowe) to whom he has a complicated past, they're now tasked with finding who's responsible & giving justice to her father LTG Joe Campbell (Cromwell). However for every shred of evidence they gain, another suspect comes to light. What seems simple one moment isn't the next until every secret is revealed, no truth is left unturned.

I have no issue if anyone - critic or otherwise - feel the plot is a bit over the top / relying too heavily on conspiracy, lies. However unless I've zoned out every time I've watched it ... it all makes sense. No wtfs, no huge gapping holes to the story. The journey is a fine one start to end, slick and entertaining with some characters that really rise above. No it's not perfection, but it's also not a bad trip like some want you to believe. Travolta fans in particular will be impressed and he gets some real zingers for lines.

It also goes without saying I'm a sucker for big casts full of faces. That alone doesn't make a movie great, but when they're given good dialog it ups the ante. Timothy Hutton, James Cromwell, Clarence Williams III, James Woods, Boyd Kestner & Leslie Stefanson as the titular daughter. Cromwell, Williams stand out, but Woods gives a masterclass in subtle efficient acting and tangos well with Travolta in limited screen time. The requisite bursts of action or fisticuffs are here of course and a joy too.

Some who serve in the US military (past or present) or their relatives take offense when movies don't portray it in a positive light, get lingo, uniforms, procedure wrong. However if you're willing to let things slide, tune in for entertainment and don't need movies to fulfill your idea of reality 'The General's Daughter' delivers where it counts & as intended. Never once did it's dramatic license bore or lose me along the way and the musical score is worth a mention as well. Recommended.

I have developed a large DVD library over the years, some 1,000 today! There are only a few which I will see more than once or twice. And The General's Daughter is one I keep seeing with pleasure. You will have read many reviews, scattering ratings from 1 to 10, as usual, but with a poor average rate. I personally like the movie for its excellent tempo and accompanying music. Travolta, Cromwell and Stowe fit their respective role perfectly. The global integration of filming, dialogs, acting and plot come out exactly right. So of course I try to understand why the rating is so poor. I have read criticism regarding the poor adaptation from the book, the way the army is depicted so unjustly, the average performance of Travolta and his annoying southern accent and more. Well, we have the right to our choices and own judgment. On a closing note, I wish people would stop repeating the plot in their reviews: it's boring, redundant and does not provide a bit of film analysis.

This was an excellent drama marred only by a little too much profanity and the normal Hollywood obsession of portraying the United States military as corrupt. (I have a news flash for filmmakers: there are some honest men in the military....really!!!) Feminism in the armed forces is another "agenda" item in this film.

There are many pluses, however, with this movie that should be noted. . The acting is excellent with a deep cast featuring John Travolta, James Cromwell, Madeline Stowe, Timothy Hutton, James Woods, Clarence Williams III, Leslie Stefanson and more.

I loved the dialog between Travola and Woods. It reminded me of the film noir films of the 1940s. The general's daughter, Stephanson, is a bit hard-edged in here but it's understandable when you find out why she acts the way she does. The characters the actors are all interesting and the story hooks you in right away. The cinematography is great. This looks stunning on DVD.

There are no lulls in this film and the action isn't overdone, either. Very entertaining.

A beautiful army officer is murdered in compromising circumstances that the fort MacCallum officials would rather keep quite. John Travolta and Madeleine Stowe are the investigators into the murder, and it's seems that someone wants to keep the truth hidden.

Travolta and Stowe both capture the necessary elements of their characters and they are well supported by James Cromwell, Timothy Hutton, Clarence Williams II and James Woods.

This suspenseful mystery thriller delivers the disturbing truths of the story very well, it does have its flaws, but they are largely forgivable due to the captivating delivery and direction.

7/10

I can't believe this movie is rated only 6.3 on IMDb. In the mystery and crime genre alone I would personally rate it at same level as as Vertigo and Pscycho. It's direction, acting and plot are all top notch, cutting deep in your mind and psych. This is one of those movies that draws viewers in and doesn't leave them even after it ends. Some people say that its end is a little hammy, but by the time it reaches there, the movie has already done a stellar work. In my opinion it is also one of the best acting performances by John Travolta. And the supporting ensemble is equally good. This is one of them movies that deserves to be part of every collection.