Plotline Accused of firing on unarmed civilians during a mission in Yemen, a veteran US marine (Samuel L. Jackson, second from right) turns to an old buddy, a former colleague who's now a lawyer (Tommy Lee Jones). Back in 'Nam, Jackson saved Jones's life. Can Jones now save Jackson's career?
Direct hit The film topped the US box office charts - good news for its director William Friedkin (The Exorcist, French Connection) who needed a hit after shooting himself in the foot with the disastrous Jade.
Stars war The script called for a punch-up between the two leads, which got pretty rough in the cause of realism. 'It's lucky we liked each other,' says Sam, 'or we would have had a perfect opportunity to do something.'
Allied forces With US actors apparently in short supply, the film has two American characters played by reinforcements: Brit Ben Kingsley and Aussie Guy Pearce (LA Confidential), who leaves himself open to critical flak with a laughable 'Noo Yoik' accent.
Fighting fit Sam, Tommy and their co-stars did punishing military training to get into character, thus copying the stars of Saving Private Ryan and Three Kings. Don't any of these guys know that actors used to get paid for just pretending?
Verdicts 'An acting match made in heaven' - Detroit News. 'As entertaining as anything released this season' - New York Post.
