Three Kings

Released 1997
Stars George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube, Spike Jonze, Nora Dunn, Cliff Curtis, Saïd Taghmaoui
Directed by David O. Russell

Three Kings should probably be called Four Kings, since there are four main characters (although it would wreck the Biblical allusion). Archie Gates (George Clooney), Troy Barlow (Mark Wahlberg), Chief Elgin (Ice Cube), and Vig (Spike Jonze) are soldiers stuck in Iraq during March 1991, just after the ceasefire declaration. Early in the film, after Troy shoots a gun-toting Iraqi soldier, Vig sums up their experience by saying, "I didn't think I'd get to see anyone get shot in this war. Take a picture." Meanwhile, Archie, who is only weeks away from retirement, isn't being cooperative with the reporter (Nora Dunn) he has been asked to escort. He is told curtly by a superior, "This is a media war. You'd better get on board." The boredom lifts for all four men when they come into possession of a map that shows the possible location of a secret bunker where Saddam Hussein may have hidden millions of dollars in gold bullion stolen from Kuwait. With mercenary intentions, Archie, Troy, Vig, and the Chief set out one morning with the intention of striking it rich. Reality deals them a harsh blow, however. Once away from the army camp, they come across Saddam's troops brutally massacring those Iraqi citizens who have followed George Bush's exhortation to throw off their leader's yoke. Expecting American aid, they rebelled against Saddam, only to discover that no foreign help would be forthcoming.

Three Kings asks the hard questions about the numerous military actions the United States has spearheaded during the second half of the 20th Century. For instance, what is the motivation behind the attack? Regardless of where it is (Vietnam, Grenada, Kuwait, the Balkans), are we fighting for legitimate political or humanitarian reasons, or is it all an attempt to boost patriotism and TV ratings? When battles can be won by pushing buttons rather than committing troops, does it impart a false sense of security? What happens in the event of a ground action, when lives will be lost? And, in this sanitized environment, do we ever consider the real, human cost on the civilian population of the so-called "enemy"? In one way or another, Three Kings delves into these issues, but the script has enough integrity and intelligence not to provide the answers.

Summary by James Berardinelli