BUFFALO SOLDIERS (***)
During the American civil war, African-American slaves were offered their freedom in exchange for fighting in battle. They were called Buffalo Soldiers. It is such sad irony that these people were coerced to possibly sacrifice their lives as price of freedom, in a war being waged over slavery, only to be denied true equal status with their Caucasian counterparts, until more than a hundred years later (some say that they are still denied).
Their struggle was detailed in Bob Marley’s song, “Stolen from Africa.” These new BUFALLO SOLDIERS in Gregor Jordan’s new film (adapted from the novel of the same title) however, are stolen from prison due to the cessation of the draft. Despite their different backgrounds, both types share a common thread: they will do anything to get what they want.
Set against the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the movie’s central figure is Ray Elwood (Joaquin Phoenix of GLADIATOR fame), a shameless opportunist whose desire for profit is voracious. How shameless and voracious? When two of his fellow grunts get burned to a crisp in a military exercise gone horribly wrong (the tank operators get stoned to Steve Zhan levels), he opts to steal their trucks to see what he and his buddies can sell. He performs his impudence behind the back of his commanding officer Col. Berman (Ed Harris), whose naivety is surpassed only by his optimism.
All sorts of insolent activities go on at the base; Military supplies are sold on the black market; drugs are peddled to servicemen (even officers); notorious deaths get reported to families as sacrifices “in-the-line-of-duty”. Even the MPs (Military Police) seem more of a gang than a policing authority. You’d think this was set in the Philippines (cue hollow laughter).
Ray seems to have a hand in each of these pies (Sgt. Bilko has got nothing on this guy). His lifestyle becomes challenged when Sgt. Lee (Scott Glenn) gets assigned to his unit. Lee is straight-shooting, calm, seemingly all-knowing, but simmering with danger. He senses what Ray has been up to and rids him of his comfort. Ray retaliates by dating his daughter Robyn (Anna Pacquin). As Bugs Bunny would say, “You know of course, this means war.”
The movie could have been content with developing the story of Ray and Robyn, and how she might have save him from his decadence. But wisely, its filmmakers choose not to. Instead, the movie treads darker paths (think THREE KINGS meets FIGHT CLUB). Some people die, some are threatened with death, some get beaten, some get humiliated. Why? Mainly to make a buck. It even turns up an interesting twist near the end (nothing major like THE SIXTH SENSE). I was surprised to find that even the very people you think you can look up to are far from being likeable at all. But then again, violence can change people in very strange ways.
All the lead performances are as satisfying as a home cooked meal. Scott Glenn likes playing assured, smart, and quiet tough guys, and Sgt. Lee is no different. Whatever depths Ray sinks too, Lee rises to meet it. He leaves hints here and there that he isn’t what he seems to be, leaving us to ponder what his true agenda is. Ed Harris gives us a surprising character in Col. Berman. Mr. Harris has always been accustomed to giving powerful and dignified performances, so it’s a delicious to see him play someone so incompetent. Notice how his character tenses up while being pleased with himself after winning a general’s approval. That’s something I’ve never seen any of his characters do. Anna Pacquin gives another understated performance as a young teenager. Few young actresses can hint at mystery like she can. Her characters seem like wandering spirits, as is hers here. She really does act like a wide-eyed teen (even though she’s 22).
I have long noticed Joaquin Phoenix (younger brother of the late River Phoenix) since 1991 in TO DIE FOR. He’s not particularly good-looking, nor well-built, but he has gravitas, a presence that emanates intelligence and edge. His character Ray is someone I would find totally reprehensible in real life. Yet Mr. Phoenix is somehow able to make us root for him. Maybe it’s because his irreverence is so outrageously refreshing in an establishment based solely on order. Or maybe it’s because he gives us glimpses of buried humanity when around kind souls like Robyn and Col. Berman. Whatever it is, Mr. Phoenix by some means makes us understand Ray, regardless of his faults.
I wish I could rate it higher. Upon close inspection, nothing serious is at stake and it ends too conveniently. But its personalities never break character. BUFFALO SOLDIERS is a dark biting satire, not on the sad state of war, but on the sad state of hardened men accustomed to hard times living in privilege. It likes to show that peacetime isn’t all it’s cracked to be, and that some guys just really need the tension, the “juice”. Robyn sums it up nicely: “You’re bored.”