Buffalo Soldiers

ByJul 25, 2003 7:00 AMTags
With the U.S. military buildup in the Middle East last year, a nervous Miramax continually pushed back the release of this Joaquin Phoenix flick about corrupt Army soldiers. It hasn't gotten better with age, and it still lacks explosive power. Phoenix is a soldier and ex-con stationed in Cold War Germany, looking to make a quick buck by cooking up heroin for his fellow soldiers and selling stolen high-grade weapons on the black market.
Director Gregor Jordan tries to make a satirical comedy--and succeeds about half of the time. Problem is, the rest of the flick is just grossly offensive. Oscar nominee Ed Harris gives an especially embarrassing turn as Phoenix's commanding officer, a leader so incompetent, you'll wonder how he ever got out of basic training. Luckily, Scott Glenn offers some realism as a hard-ass who's on to Phoenix's wheeling and dealing. It might be best to go AWOL on this one.

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