gleinbach Review of A Soldier's Sweetheart

A Soldier's Sweetheart (1998 TV Movie)

The end of the film does NOT mirror the book.

[28 April 2004]

Contains Spoilers Those of you who think the end of the movie adequately mirrors the end of Tim O'Brien's short story "Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong" need to go back and read the story. The "hollywood" ending of the film is terrible. That's not to say the film is without merit--let's just say the film is good until the last 5 minutes. Someone at HBO felt we needed closure, so they have Rat Kiley running around shooting people; eventually (DON'T READ THIS if you want the ending spoiled--but then, HBO spoiled it already) Mary Anne comes out of nowhere and saves him. And the slow-motion explosion just before we fade to black? What were they thinking? I highly recommend this film--though you should first read O'Brien's wonderful story--but stop the tape with five minutes (or so) to go.