Buffalo Soldiers
Release Date:
July 25, 2003
Limited release
Quite an impressive cast has been brought together for this production. Among the stars are Joaquin Phoenix, Ed Harris, Scott Glenn, Anna Paquin, and Elizabeth McGovern. Australian director Gregor Jordan brings us this very black comedy.
The story is about U.S. Army Specialist Ray Elwood (Phoenix) who has been sent to the army as the result of a court judgment. It was either the army or jail. He has been stationed in West Germany just about as the Berlin Wall is going to be torn down. He uses his street smarts to earn himself a little cash on the side. He sells goods on the black market – everything from hard drugs to Mop ‘n’ Glo floor cleaner.
Elwood is able to easily trick his naïve commanding officer (Harris) and even sleeps with his commander's wife (McGovern). But when a soldier on the base dies of a drug overdose, an investigation is started. The lead investigator (Glenn) and his daughter (Paquin) arrive on the base and cause even more problems for Elwood.
The tone of this film has been compared to such other irreverent looks at war such as Catch-22 and M*A*S*H. It’s a look at the behind-the-scenes part of wars, not the battles. Reviews of this film have been overwhelmingly positive. The critics are impressed with Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of the main character. (Marty Doskins/BOP)
Comparison films for Buffalo Soldiers |
Title |
Date |
Opening |
Adjusted Opening |
Screens |
PSA |
Adj PSA |
Total BO |
Adjusted Total |
Mult |
Signs |
8/2/02 | 60.12 |
62.50 |
3264 |
18418.00 |
18418.0 |
227.97 |
237.02 |
3.79 |
25th Hour |
1/10/03 | 2.83 |
2.83 |
490 |
5781.00 |
5781.0 |
13.08 |
13.08 |
4.37 |
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