Buffalo Soldiers (2003)

Fresh and Exciting

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

1989. Impudent and incorrigible American soldier Ray Elwood (an excellent and engaging performance by Joaquin Phoenix) is involved in West Germany's black market while serving on an army base during the last days of the Cold War. Complications ensue for Ray when he begins dating rebellious teenager Robyn Lee (a winningly brash portrayal by Anna Paquin), who's the daughter of tough no-nonsense new top Sergeant Lee (Scott Glenn in splendidly steely form). Director Gregor Jordan, who also co-wrote the bold and subversive script with Eric Axel Weiss and Nora MacCoby, maintains a gutsy'n'edgy tone and delivers a wickedly funny sense of gloriously irreverent humor as he bravely takes barbed satirical potshots at the desperate measures folks will resort to in order to alleviate boredom, the disintegration of military morale and discipline during times of tedious peace, the winding down of the Cold War, and the quintessentially American spirit of capitalism and opportunism run amorally amok. Moreover, this movie makes a strong and provocative central point that man's greatest enemy is himself during peacetime eras. Phoenix's Elwood makes for a charming anti-hero; the battle of wits he has with the formidable Lee leads to a tense and exciting climax. The super acting by the first-rate cast keeps the film humming: Ed Harris as the naive and inept Colonel Berman, Gabriel Mann as the eager Pfc. Brian Knoll, Leon Robinson as the laid-back Stoney, Dean Stockwell as the hard-nosed General Lancaster, Elizabeth McGovern as the unhappy Mrs. Berman, and Michael Pena as the antsy Garcia. Kudos are also in order for Oliver Stapleton's polished cinematography and the cool rocking score by David Holmes. A real spiky delight.

When I first saw this movie, I think it was after it came to DVD in late 2003 or early 2004. I really liked it and though I couldn't follow what it was about at the time, I decided to see it again today.I still remember every scene, and what really drew me in was the atmosphere of the film, a black comedy, but also a movie about a lone wolf who's an anti-hero, the best anti-hero I've ever seen. This movie puts soldiers in Western Germany in 1989 just after the Cold War ended and the Berlin Wall was about to fall. What's amazing is that boredom gets the best of these soldiers, especially for our main character.This film explores the life of a stationed drug dealer soldier and of course, not without some great humour. I will admit, I do hate indie films and indie directors, but this is the best indie film I have ever seen, it almost feels like a mainstream Hollywood movie, but in a good way. I absolutely love the time period and the location, it makes me feel like I'm at home in Romania.It's really thanks to Jacquin and his amazing, under-rated acting that make me appreciate the anti-hero character he portrays. I like the setup of the story because to those bored soldiers, their duty is like serving time in prison, so they have to find good recreational activities to do so they can kill off their boredom, and what better way to do that than make drugs, steal weapons and sell them for a nice wad of cash.This is one of those rare feel-good films that make you care about the character a lot, his struggles, and his fears. No matter how wrong you think what he's doing is, you still end up rooting for him in the end. Anti-Hero characters are always neutral, so they fight for their own cause. That may seem selfish, but in a world full of bad guys and good guys, the anti-hero must choose his own destiny and he'll let the good fight the evil as much as they want as long as neither get in his way.Truly under-rated film of the decade, if you're from Europe, or are in the military, and you have some friends over at your house, then order some pizzas, some nachos, and enjoy this film. I sure did, and I sure need to read the book as well, which is much more darker than the movie, apparently. I don't know why this is not in the top 250, but it deserves a spot in the top 20's.

The anti-American theme would appeal to Germans. I was there before the time of this move in the mid 80s in West Germany and I liked it. I was in the Air Force but we had Army on base and I went to Army bases too and there was no drug use in uniform or widespread black market selling of weapons or anything else! Drug use off duty by some and domestic abuse problems yes because enlisted were not paid much...kind of like living in a government housing project except in Germany! Yuk. There are fewer bases now but more or less the same thing. I know many people including myself who loved Europe. Too many ugly Americans and our dam fast food over there!

If you've ever been in the military you will love this movie. It's basically a Sargent Bilko without the slapstick.Covers the more seedy side of military life and has some great jokes, plot twists and one liners.Elwood is the classic E-4 and gets up to all kinds of crazy stuff. Hes basically running a lot of little schemes from his position as one of the Battalion Commanders trusted office personnel.But Elwoods life takes a turn for the worst when a new First Sargent that takes no BS is assigned to his unit and threatens to undermine Elwoods little operations.