Buffalo Soldiers

Released 2001
Stars Joaquin Phoenix, Ed Harris, Scott Glenn, Anna Paquin, Elizabeth McGovern, Michael Pena, Leon Robinson, Dean Stockwell
Directed by Gregor Jordan

Buffalo Soldiers had its world premiere on September 7, 2001, when the international political landscape was different. Aside from occasional, small skirmishes like the Gulf War and the invasion of Grenada, the United States' military had not seen action since Vietnam. This movie takes place at the time of the fall of the Berlin Wall, when the Cold War was coming to an end. The events center around a group of American soldiers on duty in West Germany, who have little more to do than kill time. Specialist Elwood (Joaquin Phoenix) is the local king of the black market. He has the slow-witted base commander, Col. Berman (Ed Harris), wrapped around his finger, and he can get away with anything he wants - including having sex with Berman's wife (Elizabeth McGovern). There are three things Elwood loves about Germany: his car, the lack of a speed limit on the Autobahn, and "a black market for anything [he] can get [his] hands on." Along with his cohorts, Garcia (Michael Pena) and Stoney (Leon Robinson), he comes upon a cache of abandoned weapons that he sees as his ticket to wealth. But there's a problem - the new Top Sergeant, the no-nonsense Robert K. Lee (Scott Glenn), won't play ball and won't take a bribe. So Elwood has to find away around him - and what better way than by dating his daughter, Robyn (Anna Paquin)? The plan, of course, blows up in his face - but irony steps in to save the day.

Summary by James Berardinelli

Think "Sgt. Bilko" meets "Trainspotting," and you'll have an idea what this movie is like. It's a very black comedy with characters so despicable I had a hard time connecting with the humor. We all know these types of things go on (especially during peace time), but it's difficult to connect with a comedy that's this over the top at a time when our boys are in Iraq fighting rats who only crawl out of their holes long enough to plant bombs. I don't think it's an anti-American movie, but it certainly sucker punches the military. Pre-9/11 it would have probably been better received, but I don't think it's that good of a movie. The characters are interesting enough, but I need some likeable characters in a comedy. I liked Ed Harris' version of Henry Blake, but that was about it. --Bill Alward, February 15, 2004