A Few Good Men Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two marines follow orders, a lawyer with daddy issues yells at Jack Nicholson, and everyone learns a valuable lesson about teamwork and the importance of asking for things nicely.

🍿 A Few Good Men: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Murder at Guantanamo Bay

The film opens with the death of Private William Santiago at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba. Two Marines, Lance Corporal Harold Dawson and Private Louden Downey, are accused of his murder. Lieutenant Junior Grade Daniel Kaffee, a Navy lawyer known for plea bargains, is assigned to defend them. Lieutenant Commander JoAnne Galloway, suspecting a cover-up, joins the defense team.

Investigating the Code Red

Kaffee and Galloway travel to Guantanamo Bay to investigate. They encounter Colonel Nathan Jessep, the base commander, and Lieutenant Jonathan Kendrick. They uncover hints of an unofficial practice called a “Code Red,” an extrajudicial punishment used to enforce discipline. Jessup and Kendrick deny ordering a Code Red on Santiago, but Galloway remains suspicious.

The Trial Begins

Back in Washington D.C., the trial begins. The defense argues that Dawson and Downey were following orders, while the prosecution paints them as murderers. Key witnesses include other Marines from Guantanamo Bay. Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Markinson, Jessup’s deputy, is a potential key witness, but he goes missing, complicating the defense’s case.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Lt. Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise): A Navy lawyer known for plea bargains who defends two Marines accused of murder and ultimately finds his own courage and skill.
• Col. Nathan R. Jessep (Jack Nicholson): The commanding officer at Guantanamo Bay who believes in maintaining order through any means, including the controversial ‘Code Red’.
• Lt. Cdr. JoAnne Galloway (Demi Moore): A determined Navy lawyer who suspects a cover-up and pushes Kaffee to take the case seriously, believing in the Marines’ innocence.
• Capt. Jack Ross (Kevin Bacon): The prosecuting attorney and friend of Kaffee, who seeks a plea bargain to avoid exposing the illegal ‘Code Red’ practices.
• 2nd. Lt. Jonathan Kendrick (Kiefer Sutherland): A zealous and unwavering officer under Jessup’s command, who is devoted to the Marine Corps’ code and denies ordering the Code Red.
• Lt. Sam Weinberg (Kevin Pollak): A Navy lawyer assisting Kaffee, providing support and a grounding influence throughout the trial.
• Lance Cpl. Harold W. Dawson (Wolfgang Bodison): One of the two Marines on trial, who is steadfast in his belief that he was following orders and upholding the Marine Corps code.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Col. Jessep: “You can’t handle the truth!” – Jessep shouts this iconic line at Kaffee during a heated courtroom exchange when pressed about his involvement in the Code Red.
• Col. Jessep: “You want answers?” – Jessep condescendingly asks Kaffee this question, setting up his explosive outburst about truth and duty.
• Lt. Kaffee: “I want the truth!” – Kaffee emphatically demands the truth from Jessup during the climactic courtroom scene, escalating the tension.
• Lt. Cdr. Galloway: “I like them because they stand on a wall and say, ‘Nothing’s going to hurt you tonight, not on my watch’.” – Galloway explains her admiration for Dawson and Downey, highlighting their dedication to duty and protection.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $40,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $141,340,178
• Worldwide Gross: $243,240,178

💥 A Few Good Men Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching ‘A Few Good Men’ for the first time and being completely hooked. The courtroom scenes were intense, especially the final showdown with Colonel Jessup. I felt like I was right there with Kaffee, fighting for the truth. Jack Nicholson’s performance gave me chills, and the film really made me think about honor and duty.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of courtroom dramas”
  • “Those interested in military ethics and justice”
  • “Viewers who appreciate strong character-driven stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Themes of violence and death”
  • “Mature themes related to military conduct”

Professional Reviews

• Rolling Stone: “Director Rob Reiner directs with masterly assurance, fusing suspense and character to create a movie that literally vibrates with energy.
• Time Magazine: “An extraordinarily well-made movie, which wastes no words or images in telling a conventional but compelling story.
• Variety: “The same histrionic fireworks that gripped theater audiences will prove even more compelling to filmgoers due to the star power and dramatic screw-tightening.

Audience Reactions

The courtroom scene between Cruise and Nicholson is iconic and unforgettable.: Viewers praise the movie’s smart dialogue and intense courtroom drama.

Cruise’s transformation from apathetic lawyer to passionate advocate is inspiring: Many appreciate Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson’s performances in the movie

Overall Consensus: ‘A Few Good Men’ is a highly regarded courtroom drama praised for its performances, dialogue, and exploration of complex moral themes, though some find its plot overly dramatic.

Awards

1. MTV Movie Award (Best Movie)- 1993
2. MTV Movie Award (Best Villain)- 1993

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on Aaron Sorkin’s play, which in turn was inspired by a real-life incident at Guantanamo Bay involving a ‘Code Red’.”
• “Tom Cruise initially hesitated to take on the role of Kaffee, feeling unsure about playing a lawyer. Director Rob Reiner personally convinced him to accept the part.”
• “Jack Nicholson ad-libbed the line ‘You can’t handle the truth!’ during one of the takes, and it was so powerful that it was kept in the final cut.”
• “Several scenes were filmed at real military locations, including the Naval Air Station Point Mugu in California, which stood in for Guantanamo Bay.”

🖥️ How to Watch A Few Good Men?

A Few Good Men is widely available to rent or purchase on various platforms. You can find it on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. Some streaming services may offer it as part of a subscription, but availability varies.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed A Few Good Men, you might like these similar films:

• The Caine Mutiny (1954): Deals with insubordination, military law, and the complexities of command, set against the backdrop of naval conflict.
• Judgment at Nuremberg (1961): Features a morally complex courtroom drama centered on the culpability and justifications of authority figures after World War II.
• The Insider (1999): Like ‘A Few Good Men’, it follows an individual fighting against powerful institutions to reveal the truth, but in a corporate rather than military setting.
• Breaker Morant (1980): Explores the complexities of military justice and the potential for abuse of power during wartime, challenging notions of honor and duty.

🛒 A Few Good Men Related Products

• A Few Good Men [Blu-ray]: Own the classic courtroom drama on Blu-ray for the ultimate viewing experience. Enjoy the sharp picture and sound to relive the story.
• A Few Good Men: The Play by Aaron Sorkin: Read the original stage play that inspired the movie and enjoy the full script. Dive into the original text by the writer of the story
• A Few Good Men Movie Poster: Officially licensed poster with the iconic imagery from the film. Hang an authentic poster for the classic movie.
• Tom Cruise: The Biography: Learn more about the man who was Daniel Kaffee. The book has an insight into the life and movie career of Tom Cruise.

🎧 Soundtrack

A Few Good Men features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Hound Dog” – performed by Big Mama Thornton

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Kevin Pollak’s Amazing Stories about the Making of “A Few Good Men” | The Rich Eisen Show

Actor Kevin Pollak spills the tea on the iconic ‘A Few Good Men’, sharing hilarious and insightful stories from the set. Don’t miss out on these exclusive anecdotes that paint a vivid picture of the film’s production.

Kevin Pollak Shares an AMAZING Jack Nicholson Story from ‘A Few Good Men’ | The Rich Eisen Show

Prepare to be entertained as Kevin Pollak unveils a hilarious story involving Jack Nicholson on the set of ‘A Few Good Men’. This anecdote will leave you with a newfound appreciation for Nicholson’s eccentric charm.

Rob Reiner on directing Jack Nicholson in the “YOU CANT HANDLE THE TRUTH” scene

Delve into the mind of director Rob Reiner as he breaks down the iconic ‘You Can’t Handle the Truth’ scene from ‘A Few Good Men’. Discover the techniques he used to capture Jack Nicholson’s legendary performance.

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