State uniti in America

After five years as a POW in Hanoi, Army Corporal Richard Pryor is rescued and returns to the States a hero (he makes the evening news after a journalist suggests he bend and kiss the ground). Still, heroes don't linger long in a busy world, and soon Pryor is fighting for his self-worth after the government turns their back on him and his wife admits she's moved on with her life. Serio-comic adaptation of James Kirkwood Jr.'s novel by Kirkwood and Robert Boris makes an uneasy vehicle for the star, who is encouraged to go deeper as an actor yet still retain his naughty persona and signature foul mouth. The character's imprisonment under the Vietcong takes up thirty minutes of screen-time (far too long), while the limply dramatic stuff with the unfaithful Mrs. chews up another ten. Pryor has some strong scenes here and there, but he's relying on externals to get him through. He allows himself to be vulnerable and loving, and this works up to a point, yet the feel-good ending is a cheat (larceny cures all!) and a romance with Beverly Hills hooker Margot Kidder (who appears to have no other clients) is rather unlikely. ** from ****

Who already follow the Pryor's career will be surprised about this serious role in this anti-war movie, based on a book this picture bring to us an another and hidden Pryor's profile, without losing focus of course, he takes all bitter experience from a soldier who was at Vietinam's POW and all this is handling by USA's Army.

When he is back, the real problem begin when he realizes that he isn't a hero anymore, he has judgment after he'd signs a complete confession to save a soldier's life, forgotten by his wife and worst by own country is too much for him, all mixed with good jokes and con behavior takes the picture as a pleasant entertainment!!

Resume:

First watch: 1992 / How many: 3 / Source: TV-DVD-R / Rating: 7.

This is definitely one of Pryor's better performances. Maybe not his funniest but on the drama side of things the movie is thoughtful and touching at times because of his performance, and he's still funny when he needs to be. The director/writer I think overreaches in the end but this is definitely worth watching for Pryor's performance if nothing else.

Richard Pryor spent half a decade as a POW in Vietnam. Now he's back in the US, and he's a hero. Except that his wife has walked out on him, his mother is in a nursing home and they want more money, the Army is taking its time on anything except for using him in press conferences and the bank he asks for a loan won't grant it. The only person willing to actually help is Margot Kidder, a high-class call girl, and he names her profession baldly.

Watching Pryor in a straight role is interesting. He plays the same sort of character he does in his comedies, hapless and out of his depth, but without the air of hysteria that informs his comedy. The result is a telling satire of the growing disconnect between the promise of America and the reality.

I enjoyed the movie, but it made me feel disgusted about how the army and the citizens of America treated a POW.