In the fall of 1963, Eddie Birdlace is an 18-year-old Marine Corps volunteer who is about to ship out with three of his buddies for a tour of duty in Vietnam. Planning a massive blowout for their last night in San Francisco, Eddie, his buddies, and a number of other Marines set up a contest they call a "dogfight”.
Directed by Nancy Savoca
vietnam war
san francisco, california
love
u.s. marine
nostalgic
woman director
1960s
comforting
sincere
Rank
#16 in 1991·#1323 overall
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
3.9 / 5
Where to Watch
Cast
River Phoenix
Eddie Birdlace
Lili Taylor
Rose Fenny
Richard Panebianco
Berzin
Anthony Clark
Oakie
Mitchell Whitfield
Benjamin
Holly Near
Rose Sr.
E. G. Daily
Marcie
John Lacy
Fector
Peg Phillips
Older Cafe Customer
Ron Lynch
Lance Corporal Judge
Kenneth Utt
Thrift Shop Man
Barbara Benedetti
Alice
Crew
Nancy Savoca
Director
Bobby Bukowski
Director of Photography
Peter Newman
Producer
Mason Daring
Music
Gene Hartline
Stunts
Marion Dougherty
Casting
Thaddeus Wadleigh
Key Grip
Tim Squyres
Assistant Editor
Charlie Estepp
Stunts
Popular Reviews
183 reviews
Brendon
7.0★ · 06/10/24
Me when I saw Brendan Fraser: Ha, that guy looks like Brendan Fraser. Wait? Holy Shit, is that Brendan Fraser?!? Holy fuck, it is!!!River Phoenix was one of those stars, wasn't he? The kind of star who thrived in the independent cinema scene with quietly great performances such as Stand by Me and My Own Private Idaho. He and Lili Taylor shine here in a way that reflects what I feel the Nancy Savoca intentions with the time period, taking place on November 21st, 1963 and before the US' heavy involvement in the Vietnam war. This evening was just a somewhat quiet and happy evening between two souls in the night.
I had trouble getting into the film at first, but as the relationship progresses, the film becomes more memorable and interesting. Love the ending too.
Will try to rewatch soon.
Me when I saw Brendan Fraser: Ha, that guy looks like Brendan Fraser. Wait? Holy Shit, is that Brendan Fraser?!? Holy fuck, it is!!!River Phoenix was one of those stars, wasn't he? The kind of star who thrived in the independent cinema scene with quietly great performances such as Stand by Me and My Own Private Idaho. He and Lili Taylor shine here in a way that reflects what I feel the Nancy Savoca intentions with the time period, taking place on November 21st, 1963 and before the US' heavy involvement in the Vietnam war. This evening was just a somewhat quiet and happy evening between two souls in the night.
I had trouble getting into the film at first, but as the relationship progresses, the film becomes more memorable and interesting. Love the ending too.
Will try to rewatch soon.
1
mxz
8.0★ · 05/13/26
“It's just really nice to talk to someone. Really nice.“
i watched this for River, in 480p resolution, with no expectation and somehow it’s actually impressed me. wow such an underrated movie. The story is simple, just a marine brings an “ugly” girl to a party for a bet called a dogfight or something. and in the end he fell for her, not to her looks, but her attitude, and her voice.
“It's just really nice to talk to someone. Really nice.“
i watched this for River, in 480p resolution, with no expectation and somehow it’s actually impressed me. wow such an underrated movie. The story is simple, just a marine brings an “ugly” girl to a party for a bet called a dogfight or something. and in the end he fell for her, not to her looks, but her attitude, and her voice.
Bryce Palmer
8.0★ · 05/02/26
i like maroon 🥲
i like maroon 🥲
areen
8.0★ · 04/05/26
Absolutely fucking love this, I yearn for River Phoenix
Absolutely fucking love this, I yearn for River Phoenix
Laura
8.0★ · 03/26/26
primeiro homem que é uma green flag e uma red flag ao mesmo tempo
primeiro homem que é uma green flag e uma red flag ao mesmo tempo
