This film's relatively low IMDb rating of 6.6 as I write this baffles me. I thought it was a compelling story centering on parallel narratives involving Colonel Nat Serling (Denzel Washington), himself conflicted over a friendly fire incident in which his best friend was killed, while investigating the merit of awarding the country's first Medal of Honor to a woman who died in combat. Meg Ryan portrays female Captain Karen Walden in the story, and I do have to say that her presence in a dramatic role seemed almost distracting considering the many romantic comedies she's appeared in. However she does comport herself well in the battle scenes that eventually lead to her character's death.I've read some of the other user reviews making comparisons to "Roshomon", and although there are similarities, I would point out that in the Kurosawa film, there really is no resolution to the validity of any of the four characters telling their side of a story regarding the murder of a samurai and the rape of his wife. It's really left to the imagination of the viewer regarding who's story one believes is true, if any of them. In this one, it's left fairly certain that medic Ilario's (Matt Damon) final accounting to Colonel Serling is the definitive version that confirms Captain Walden's valor in the heat of battle. The one thing that isn't confirmed is the exact manner in which she died because it occurred after all of the soldiers under her command were evacuated from the scene of the battle at Al Kufan. What the movie brilliantly conveys is the personal conflict undergone by Serling in his personal and professional life and how his search for the truth becomes a quest that almost tears him and his family apart. Turning to booze as many in his shoes undoubtedly would, I didn't get the sense that he ever really crossed the line into alcoholism as many viewers suggest, though his reliance on alcohol seemed to imply he became a plateau drinker with just the right amount of resolve to keep himself under control. He obviously walked a very fine line attempting to balance the duty he felt to uncover the truth of his investigation while maintaining a devotion to his wife and family. In another picture, his marriage might not have withstood the consequences of his loyalty to the military.

There is a strong Story here as an investigation ensues about a potential Medal of Honor recipient and the mysterious conflict of testimonies. It is given a twist with a shot of estrogen as the Soldier involved is the first Female to possibly (Posthumously) be awarded the Nation's Highest Military Honor.That should be enough to make this a riveting Mystery and through flashbacks we are shown some striking battle Scenes. So why add the conflict and strife to the investigating Officer. It is completely unnecessary and is the weakest part of the Film and almost drags it down with unconvincing situations of Combat guilt and Family Dysfunction. That could be a whole other Movie. But with that bloating aside there are some strong Performances by the young Cast (actually outshining Denzel) in supporting Roles as the Combat Unit in question. There is a back Story to everyone and it holds up quite well with the central Theme. It must be mentioned here that although, Meg Ryan is miscast as the Captain, she tries her best but cannot outgrow her limitations and convince as a tough Girl in a hopeless, self sacrificing situation.Overall, not a bad Movie and is worth a watch for the strong parts, but there is much too much padding here, plus the heavy dose of sentimentality finally drags this down from Great Movie to just above Average.

Courage Under Fire is a film about the 1991 Gulf War.It stars Denzel Washington,Meg Ryan,Lou Diamond Phillips and Matt Damon. It is one of the first great films to depict the 1991 Gulf War as it tells a story of a US Army officer, despondent about a deadly mistake he made, investigates a female chopper commander's worthiness for the Medal of Honor.The movie was directed by Edward Zwick.Courage Under Fire has Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel Serling involved in a friendly fire incident in Al Bathra during the Gulf War. He was an M1 Abrams tank battalion commander who, during the nighttime confusion of Iraqi tanks infiltrating his unit's lines, gave the order to fire, destroying one of his own tanks and killing his friend Lieutenant Boylar. The details were covered up and Serling was reassigned to a desk job.Later, he is assigned to determine if Army Captain Karen Emma Walden should be the first woman to receive the Medal of Honor for valor in combat in the Gulf War posthumously. A Medevac Huey commander, she was sent to rescue the crew of a helicopter that had been shot down. Finding them under heavy fire from an Iraqi tank and infantry, she had her men drop an auxiliary fuel tank on the tank and ignited it with a flare gun. Shortly after, her helicopter was also hit and downed. The two crews were unable to join forces. The survivors were rescued the next day, but Walden had been killed in action.At first, everything seems to be straightforward, but Serling begins to notice inconsistencies between the testimonies of the witnesses. Walden's co-pilot, Warrant Officer One Rady, praises Walden's character and performance, but was hit and unconscious early on. Serling then sees Walden's medic, Specialist Ilario, who also praises Walden. Staff Sergeant Monfriez, however, tells Serling that Walden was a coward. The members of the other downed crew also mention that they heard the distinctive sound of an M16 being used in the firefight during the rescue around the other helicopter, but Walden's crew denies firing one during the rescue, as theirs was out of ammunition. When Serling visits Walden's crew chief, Sergeant Altameyer, who is dying of cancer in a hospital. Altameyer manages to get some words out, further confusing Serling, before self-medicating himself into unconsciousness.Under pressure from the White House and his commander, Brigadier General Hershberg, to wrap things up quickly, Serling leaks the story to newspaper reporter Tony Gartner to prevent another cover up. When Serling puts pressure on Monfriez, the man pulls a pistol at him, then commits suicide by driving his car into an oncoming train.After finding Ilario, Serling discovers that Monfriez wanted to escape under cover of darkness, which would have meant leaving Rady behind. Altameyer was ready to follow his lead and Ilario was wavering, but Walden refused to go along, resulting in an armed standoff with Monfriez. When an Iraqi infantryman appeared suddenly behind Monfriez, Walden fired at him. Mistakenly believing he was the target, Monfriez shot back and seriously wounded her. Walden, however, regained control of her men.The next morning, Walden stayed behind to cover their evacuation, firing the M16. Monfriez deliberately lied to the rescuers, telling them that she was dead so she would be left behind. Altameyer, injured and unable to say anything was ignored. Ilario remained silent. A-10 airplanes then napalmed the wreckage.Serling presents his final report to Hershberg. Walden's young daughter receives the Medal of Honor in a White House ceremony. Later, Serling tearfully tells the Boylars the truth about the manner of their son's death. In the last moments of the film, it is shown that Walden had transported Boylar's body away from the battlefield.Courage Under Fire is definitely one outstanding film about the Gulf War.It tells an emotional and intriguing tale of a military officer who must review the merits of a fallen officer while confronting his own war demons that makes us feel for every character involved in the story.Also,the movie tells effectively the terrors brought about by war as well as its heartbreaking aftermath.It presents it treats with clarity and intelligence that truly makes it a brilliant film.Another good thing about it is the movie avoids the use of too much violence and swearing to present its story.The performances of the cast were great.Special mention must be given to Denzel Washington for he dominates a film with his quiet intensity and aura of introspection.Credit must also be given to Meg Ryan and Matt Damon,who tried his best to look realistic in his role by shedding many pounds to lose a lot of weight. Overall,Courage Under Fire is a movie that a viewer should not miss as it ranks up there with Platoon and Born On The Fourth Of July as outstanding war films.

I tried to watch Courage Under Fire, but I couldn't get past the completely amateurish opening sequence and the horribly miscast cast. Everything about this movie is bad, from the lighting, prop execution and poor use of body language to Edward Zwick's apparent inability to get his actors to perform to editor Steven Rosenblum's poor sense of timing and choice of takes. The execution of props, battle sequences and facial expressions would have been embarrassing in the 1980s. This sort of material has been done countless times before and since, and apart from third-rate, shoestring C-movies with unknown actors and obscure porn stars by wannabe directors, few other movies of the military genre were worse.