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Courage Under Fire (1996)

1996 • 1h 56m • Drama, Thriller • R
On September 23, 2026
#4864▲ 120
4864th by Pulse movie online
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CinemaSerf on Courage Under Fire

6/10 · Aug 27, 2023

The film distinguishes itself somewhat through its close-up photographic approach. The camera’s perspective creates a sense of closeness to both the narrative and the people involved that isn't often encountered. However, the storyline itself feels underdeveloped. Denzel Washington portrays someone looking into whether a helicopter pilot who died during the Gulf War deserves the medal of honor. What seemed like a straightforward confirmation process turns complicated when inconsistencies emerge, creating doubt about the entire situation. It might have been acceptable as just another story set in wartime, but because it’s rooted in actual events and combined with an overly sentimental soundtrack and a relentlessly patriotic attitude, the film descends into silliness and emotional excess. Neither Denzel Washington nor Meg Ryan bring enough substance to give the movie any real force or believability. Matt Damon does make something of an impression, though I wasn't sure if it was due to his performance or simply because seeing him before he became famous was intriguing—regardless, there’s very little action and the dialogue sounds like it could have been drafted by the United States Army recruiters. At least everyone looks good in their uniforms.

Source on TMDB