Biloxi Blues (1988)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Mike Nichols

Writers:

Neil Simon (play)
Neil Simon (screenplay)

Release Date:

25 March 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

The Army made Eugene a man. But Daisy gave him basic training!

Plot:

A group of young recruits go through boot camp during the Second World War in Biloxi Mississippi. From the play by Neil Simon.

Plot Keywords:

Boot Camp | Sergeant | Sequel | WWII | Train

Cast

Matthew Broderick	...	Eugene Morris Jerome
Christopher Walken	...	Sgt. Toomey
Matt Mulhern	...	Joseph Wykowski
Corey Parker	...	Arnold B. Epstein
Casey Siemaszko	...	Don Carney
Michael Dolan	...	James J. Hennesey
Penelope Ann Miller	...	Daisy
Park Overall	...	Rowena
Alan Pottinger	...	Peek
Mark Evan Jacobs	...	Pinelli
David Kienzle	...	Corporal (as Dave Kienzle)
Matthew Kimbrough	...	Spitting Cook
Kirby Mitchell	...	Digger #1
Allen Turner	...	Digger #2
Tom Kagy	...	Digger #3
Jeff Bailey	...	Mess Hall Corporal
Natalie Canerday	...	Natalie Canterday
Bill Russell	...	Rifle Instructor
A. Collin Roddey	...	Pvt. Roddey
Christopher Ginnaven	...	Cpl. Ginnaven
Morris Mead	...	Cpl. Mead
David Whitman	...	Tower Officer
Norman Rose	...	Newsreel Announcer
Ben Hynum	...	Pvt. Lindstrom
Andy Wigington	...	Cpl. Wigington
Scott Sudbury	...	Pvt. Sudbury
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Markus Flanagan	...	Roy Selridge
Michael Haley	...	Cpl. Haley (as Michael R. Haley)
Virginia Sandifur	...	Additional Voice (voice)
David Schwimmer	...	Soldier on train (uncredited)

Directed by
Mike Nichols

Writing credits
Neil Simon		(play)
Neil Simon		(screenplay)

Produced by
Joseph M. Caracciolo	....	executive producer
Marykay Powell	....	executive producer
Ray Stark	....	producer

Original Music by
Georges Delerue

Cinematography by
Bill Butler

Film Editing by
Sam O'Steen

Casting by
Juliet Taylor

Production Design by
Paul Sylbert

Costume Design by
Ann Roth

Makeup Department
Jay Cannistraci	....	makeup department head

Production Management
Joseph M. Caracciolo	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Michael Haley	....	first assistant director
James W. Skotchdopole	....	second assistant director
Glen Trotiner	....	additional second assistant director

Art Department
Roland Brooks	....	charge scenic artist
David G. McKnight	....	swing

Sound Department
Stan Bochner	....	supervising sound editor
Marko A. Costanzo	....	foley artist
Lee Dichter	....	sound re-recording mixer
George A. Lara	....	foley mixer
Gary Parker	....	boom operator

Stunts
Rick Le Fevour	....	stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Bill Coe	....	assistant camera
Ralph Gerling	....	camera operator

Casting Department
Sarah Tackett	....	extras casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Gary Jones	....	assistant costume designer

Editorial Department
Kris Cole	....	first assistant editor
Bruce Pearson	....	color timer
Richard Nord	....	associate editor (uncredited)

Music Department
James Flatto	....	assistant music editor
Thomas Hasselwander	....	music supervisor
Patrick Mullins	....	music editor
Roy B. Yokelson	....	music recording engineer

Other crew
B.J. Bjorkman	....	script supervisor
Joe Hughes	....	assistant location manager
Matilde Valera	....	assistant accountant

Production Companies

• Rastar Pictures

Distributors

• Universal Pictures

Other Companies

• Cine' Specialists  military vehicles (uncredited)

Also Known As:

Neil Simon's Biloxi Blues

Runtime:

106 min | UK:102 min (DVD)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Portugal:M/12 | Australia:M | Finland:K-12 | France:U | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:PG-13 | West Germany:16 | Singapore:PG | Brazil:12 | Iceland:12

Filming Locations:

Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, USA

Company:

Rastar Pictures

Trivia:

Corey Parker, who portrays Eugene Jerome's colleague Arnold Epstein in this film, took over the Eugene Jerome role for the sequel Broadway Bound (1992) (TV).

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The version of "How High The Moon" by Pat Suzuki used during the opening credits and during the dance sequence was actually recorded and released in 1958.

Quotes:

Arnold Epstein: You're a witness. You're always standing around watching what's happening, scribbling in your book what other people do. You have to get in the middle of it. You have to take sides. Make a contribution to the fight. Any fight. The one you believe in.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Bob Saget/TLC (#20.19)" (1995)

Soundtrack:

Goodbye Dear, I'll Be Back in a Year

Strangely Compelling

It seems strange to say this about a movie that has very few moments of high drama and virtually no moments of great excitement, but "Biloxi Blues" has a strangely compelling quality to it. Once you begin to watch, you'll stay with this through to the end. Director Mike Nichols does an excellent job of bringing the viewer into the lives of the disparate group of young men who find themselves suddenly soldiers in 1945, facing the prospect of being sent to the Pacific to fight and quite possibly die for their country. From the very beginning, we want to know about these men: who they are, what makes them tick, and, most important - what's going to happen to them?

There are several fine performances in this movie. Matthew Broderick is excellent (he seems to have a knack for military roles, as in both this and "Glory") as Private Eugene Jerome, a young, idealistic Jewish teenager, just out of high school, who dreams of being a writer rather than a soldier. Much of the movie is seen through his eyes as we see him come of age in many different ways. There's great humour involved as he loses his virginity with the understanding prostitute Rowena (Park Overall). Eugene is simply a likable young man who we enjoy watching grow up. Corey Parker put on a strong performance in a supporting role as Private Albert Epstein, who challenges military authority from Day 1. Another scene of brief humour is when Epstein presents a note from his doctor in New York, asking that he be excused from having to eat army food. Also offering a strong performance is Christopher Walken as the slightly off-balance Sargeant Toomey, who drives his platoon relentlessly.

If you're looking for a classic war movie, you'll want to avoid this. But if you're interested in a story about genuine people, give it a try. I enjoyed this movie very much, and would rate it as a 7/10.