Directed by:
Oliver StoneCinematography:
Robert RichardsonComposer:
John WilliamsCast:
Tom Cruise, Willem Dafoe, Kyra Sedgwick, Raymond J. Barry, Jerry Levine, Frank Whaley, Caroline Kava, Ed Lauter, John Getz, Michael Wincott, Stephen Baldwin (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
Before the war starts, Kovic is a normal American kid, going to school, hanging out with his friends, and bagging groceries for pocket money. But as the Vietnam conflict begins to impact the lives of everyone around him, the patriotic teenager decides to enlist. Although his father (Raymond J. Berry) is not happy with his decision, his mother (Caroline Kava) could hardly be more enthusiastic. Once in combat, Kovic becomes disillusioned with his commanding officer (John Getz) who dismisses the fact that Kovic accidentally shot one of their own men in combat. Shortly thereafter, Kovic is paralyzed from the chest down by a bullet in the spine. He must begin a lengthy and excruciatingly painful rehabilitation, which includes a period in the shockingly negligent Bronx Veteran's Hospital. He finally returns to his hometown, now a confused, embittered, and alienated man. His family is also unsettled, unsure about how to deal with this very changed person. After a dissipated spree with other disabled vets like Charlie (Willem Dafoe), Kovic begins talking to antiwar activists like Donna (Kyra Sedgwick) and starts to reevaluate his thinking. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Cast
Tom Cruise
USA
Best movies:
Rain Man (1988)
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
Willem Dafoe
USA
Best movies:
Platoon (1986)
The Kingdom (1994) (series)
Finding Nemo (2003)
Kyra Sedgwick
USA
Best movies:
Something the Lord Made (2004) (TV movie)
Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
Secondhand Lions (2003)
Raymond J. Barry
USA
Best movies:
The X-Files – File 5: 82517 (1995) (video compilation)
Falling Down (1993)
Dead Man Walking (1995)
Jerry Levine
USA
Best movies:
Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
Wag the Dog (1997)
Swimming with Sharks (1994)
Frank Whaley
USA
Best movies:
Pulp Fiction (1994)
JFK (1991)
The Doors (1991)
Caroline Kava
USA
Best movies:
Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
Heaven's Gate (1980)
Year of the Dragon (1985)
Ed Lauter
USA
Best movies:
Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
The Artist (2011)
Seabiscuit (2003)
John Getz
USA
Best movies:
Zodiac (2007)
The Social Network (2010)
Blood Simple (1984)
Michael Wincott
Canada
Best movies:
The Doors (1991)
Dead Man (1995)
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)
Stephen Baldwin
USA
Best movies:
The Usual Suspects (1995)
Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
The Beast (1988)
Bob Gunton
USA
Best movies:
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
JFK (1991)
Dolores Claiborne (1995)
Anne Bobby
USA
Best movies:
Happiness (1998)
Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
Beautiful Girls (1996)
David Warshofsky
USA
Best movies:
L'Enlèvement (2008)
Captain Phillips (2013)
Face Off (1997)
Reg E. Cathey
USA
Best movies:
Se7en (1995)
The Corner (2000) (series)
Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
Josh Evans
USA
Best movies:
The Doors (1991)
Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
Ricochet (1991)
Lili Taylor
USA
Best movies:
Anne Frank: The Whole Story (2001) (TV movie)
The Conjuring (2013)
Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
David Herman
USA
Best movies:
Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
Futurama: Bender's Game (2008) (video compilation)
Futurama: Bender's Big Score (2007) (video compilation)
Andrew Lauer
USA
Best movies:
The Doors (1991)
Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
Never on Tuesday (1988)
Tom Sizemore
USA
Best movies:
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Heat (1995)
Black Hawk Down (2001)