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A Few Good Men
Image:Few good men ver2.jpg original film poster
Directed by	Rob Reiner
Produced by	David Brown Rob Reiner Andrew Scheinman
Written by	Aaron Sorkin
Starring	Tom Cruise Demi Moore Jack Nicholson Kevin Pollak Kevin Bacon J.T. Walsh Kiefer Sutherland
Music by	Marc Shaiman
Cinematography	Robert Richardson
Distributed by	Columbia Pictures
Release date(s)	December 9, 1992
Running time	138 min
Language	English
IMDb profile

A Few Good Men, a play by Aaron Sorkin, was acclaimed on Broadway and was subsequently made into a successful film in 1992. It tells the story of military lawyers at a court-martial who uncover a high-level conspiracy in the course of defending their clients, United States Marines accused of murder.

The film version, directed by Rob Reiner, stars Tom Cruise as LTJG Daniel Kaffee, Jack Nicholson as Col. Nathan R. Jessep, Demi Moore as LCDR JoAnne Galloway, Kevin Bacon as Capt. Jack Ross, Kiefer Sutherland as Lt. Jonathan Kendrick, Kevin Pollak as LTJG Sam Weinberg, J.T. Walsh as LtCol. Matthew Markinson, and Wolfgang Bodison as Lcpl. Harold W. Dawson. Aaron Sorkin and Cuba Gooding, Jr. also make cameo appearances in the film.

It was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Jack Nicholson), Best Film Editing, Best Picture and Best Sound.

The original stage production starred Tom Hulce as Lt. Kaffee and Stephen Lang as Col. Jessep. A stage adaptation of the film starring Rob Lowe in the role of Lt. Daniel Kaffee and Suranne Jones as Lt. Cmdr. JoAnne Galloway, opened at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, London in late August 2005 for preview showings, followed by a 3 month run in early September 2005. The stage show was directed by David Esbjornson.

Contents 1 Plot synopsis 2 Trivia 3 Quotes 4 Spoofs 5 External links

[edit] Plot synopsis

An inexperienced Navy lawyer, Lt. Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise), son of late Lionel Kaffee (who held the positions of Attorney General and Navy Judge Advocate General), leads the defense in the court-martial of two Marines, PFC. Louden Downey (James Marshall) and Lance Cpl. Harold Dawson (Wolfgang Bodison), who are accused of murdering a fellow Marine of their unit, PFC William T. Santiago (Michael de Lorenzo). The movie is based upon the exploits of Don Marcari JAG Lawyer, now of Marcari Russotto and Spencer law firm in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Santiago, as we learn, isn't quite up to task compared to his fellow comrades. He complains of health conditions that his superiors are ignoring, and is generally disliked by everyone in his company. He has gone out of his way to request a transfer off the base, even going so far as bargaining for one in exchange for blowing the whistle on a fellow Marine for an illegal fence-line shooting. Col. Nathan Jessep (Jack Nicholson), a powerful senior Marine officer at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base being considered for the position of Director of Operations for the National Security Council, is shown reading the letter to two subordinate officers; Lt Col. Matthew Markinson (J.T. Walsh), and 1st Lt. Jonathan Kendrick (Kiefer Sutherland). Jessep and Kendrick are incensed that Santiago would do this, and Markinson is the only one who wants to go ahead with transferring Santiago off the base. However, Jessep gives a speech about their duty as officers to train those who defend their nation, ending with his sarcastically "surrendering our position in Cuba". He then makes the decision to not transfer him. Markinson questions it and, after Lt. Kendrick is dismissed, gets reprimanded for it by Jessep.

Kaffee attempts to portray the accused as men following orders, trying to establish that the defendants were in fact acting under the orders of Col. Jessep. The two Marines on trial claim that they were ordered to give the victim a "Code Red" -- a military slang term for an extra-judicial and officially unsanctioned form of punishment (something created for the movie. There is no real "Code Red".). Kaffee eventually begins to suspect that he was specifically chosen to defend the two Marines due to his history of quickly settling cases by plea bargains, which would have prevented the case from ever going to trial, bringing the Marine Corps embarrassment and potentially mar the Colonel's chances of advancement.

Over the course of the story, Kaffee progresses from a novice lawyer to an experienced Navy attorney. His relationship with LCDR JoAnn Galloway (Demi Moore) evolves as well: There is friction between them the instant they meet. She believes that he does not care about his clients and that he settles cases quickly because he is afraid to actually argue in court. He thinks she is interfering with his handling of the case. They come to realize that they both want to learn the truth and give their clients a vigorous defense, and they know that they will have to work together to achieve this. Although there are some flirtatious moments between Galloway and Kaffee, they don't become romantically involved. What is more important is that they learn to cooperate and respect each other.

Kaffee is shown to have a high level of common sense and sharpness, which helps him win the case by proving that Jessep ordered a "Code Red" -- in retaliation for the Marine going outside the chain of command as a whistleblower -- by subtly provoking Jessep and causing him to voluntarily confess the truth in court in a moment's anger. Frustrated overall with the proceedings, Jessep leaves the stand and is ready to depart the courtroom until the judge orders him not to. Jessep is charged with crime stemming from the incident and will be brought to trial. He is disbelieving of the charges and lunges at Kaffee, realizing that he's been taken down from his mantle and his career possibly destroyed. Jessep is detained and led out of the room. The two Marines are then found not guilty of murder and conspiracy to commit murder, but are found guilty on the charge of conduct unbecoming a United States Marine by the court, and subsequently are dishonorably discharged from the Corps.

On the level of moral philosophy, the drama examines questions of duty, honor, patriotism, justice, and the rule of law.

[edit] Trivia

• The line "You can't handle the truth!" was voted the twenty-ninth greatest American movie quote of all-time by the American Film Institute.
• The play was sent being performed on stage and being sent to producers as a sample of Aaron Sorkin's writing ability. It was never intended to be used as screenplay material.
• It is the debut of Wolfgang Bodison (Harold Dawson) who was not an actor, but a film location scout.
• Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise) thinks best while holding a baseball bat. This same practice is done by writer Matt Albie (Matthew Perry) on the Sorkin created Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip.
• The Silent Drill at the film's beginning was not done by Marines. It is actually the Texas A&M University Fish Drill Team.
• The two marines are found guilty of "Conduct Unbecoming a United States Marine," there exists no such crime in the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The closest crime to this would be "Conduct Unbecoming an Officer and a Gentleman," however, as both men are enlisted and this charge applies only to Warrant and Commissioned Officers, it would not have applied.

[edit] Quotes

• Jessep: You want answers?

Kaffee: I think I'm entitled.

Jessep: You want answers?!

Kaffee: I want the truth!

Jessep: You can't handle the truth!

Jessep: Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You?! You, Lieutenant Weinberg?! I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives! You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall! You need me on that wall! We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it! I would rather you just said, "Thank you," and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to!

Kaffee: Did you order the Code Red?

Jessep: I did the job I was sent to do--

Kaffee: Did you order the Code Red?!

Jessep: (shouting) You're goddamn right I did!!

[stunned silence]

Kaffee: Please the court, I suggest the members be dismissed, so that we can move to an immediate article 39A session. The witness has rights.

Judge: Captain Ross?

Kaffee: Jack?

Ross: [nods head]

Judge: The court members will retire to an anteroom until further instructed.

MP: All rise!

Jessep: What the hell is this? Colonel, what's going on? I did my job, I'd do it again. I'm gonna get in a plane and go back to my base.

Judge: You're not going anywhere, Colonel. MP's, guard the Colonel.

MP: Yes, sir!

Judge: Captain Ross.

Ross: Colonel Jessep, you have the right to remain silent--

Jessep: What the hell is this? I'm being charged with a crime? Is that what this is? I'm being charged with a crime? This is funny. That's what this is. This is-- [leaps towards Kaffee, MP's restrain him] I'm gonna rip the eyes out of your head and piss into your dead skull! You fucked with the wrong Marine!

Ross: Colonel Jessep, do you understand these rights as I have just read them to you?

Jessep: You fuckin' people. You have no idea how to defend a nation. All you did was weaken a country today, Kaffee. That's all you did. You put people's lives in danger. Sweet dreams, son.

Kaffee: Don't call me son. I'm a lawyer and an officer in the United States Navy. And you're under arrest, you son of a bitch. The witness is excused.

• Kaffee: "She has no point. She often has no point. It's part of her charm."

• Kaffee: He can make an entire flight disappear?

Markinson: Nathan Jessep is about to be appointed Director of Operations for the National Security Council. You don't get to that position without knowing how to sidestep a few landmines.

• Kaffee: Really gotta hand it to those Federal Marshalls boy.

• Lt. Kendrick: "I have two books at my bedside, Lieutenant: the Marine Corps Code of Conduct and the King James Bible. The only proper authorities I am aware of are my commanding officer, Colonel Nathan R. Jessep, and the Lord our God."

• Lt. Kendrick: "Commander, I believe in God and His Son Jesus Christ. Because I do I can say this; Private Santiago is dead, and that is a tragedy. But he is dead because he had no Code. He is dead because he had no Honor. And God was watching. "

• Kaffee: Is the colonel's underwear a matter of national security?

• Jessep: What do you want to discuss now? My favorite color?

• PFC Downey: I don't understand. Colonel Jessep said he ordered the Code Red. What did we do wrong?

Galloway: It's not that simple.

PFC Downey: What did we do wrong?! We did nothing wrong!

Lance Cpl. Dawson: ...yeah we did. We were supposed to fight for people who couldn't fight for themselves. We were supposed to fight for Willy.

• Kaffee: Harold. You don't need to wear a badge on your arm to have Honor.

Lance Cpl. Dawson: Ten-Hut! There's an officer on deck.

• Kaffee What possible good could come from putting Jessep on the stand?

Galloway He told Kendrick to order the Code Red.

Kaffee He did? That's great! Why didn't you say so? And, of course, you have proof of that! Oh, I'm sorry, I keep forgetting - you were sick the day they taught law at law school!

Galloway You put him on the stand and you get it from him.

Kaffee We get it from him! Yes! No problem, we get it from him. 'Col. Jessep, isn't it true that you ordered the Code Red on Santiago?'

Weinberg Listen, we're all a little...

Kaffee Eehh! I'm sorry, your time's run out! What do we have for the losers, judge? Well, for our defendants it's a lifetime at exotic Fort Leavenworth! And, for defense counsel Kaffee, that's right, it's a court-martial, yes Johnny! After falsely accusing a highly decorated marine officer of conspiracy and perjury, Lt. Kaffee will have a long and prosperous career teaching... typewriter maintenance at the Rocko Clubbo School for Women! (turns to Galloway) Thank you for playing 'should we, or should we not, follow the advice of the galactically stupid?!'

• Danny Cause he eats breakfast 300 yards away from 4000 Cubans being trained to kill him.
• Danny The Chief of Internal Medicene at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Hospital said that Santiago died of Acute Lactit Acidosis. And that the Asidosis strongly suggests poison. Now I don't know what any of that means, but it sounds pretty bad.

[edit] Spoofs

• The phrase "You can't handle the truth!" has become a popular phrase as evident by its many parodies below.
• A full length trailer parody was made for The Ben Stiller Show. The premise was that a boy scout rather than a marine undergoes a "Code Red", featuring the "giving of a wedgie" after which he is suspended from a flag pole. In addition to Ben Stiller's trademark Cruise impersonation, the parody featured Janeane Garofalo as Demi Moore's character (who is now a boy scout den mother) and Andy Dick impersonating Kiefer Sutherland with an incomprehensible accent.
• In an episode of Seinfeld, George walks into Jerry's apartment and says "You can't handle the truth!" When Jerry asks him what he is doing, George says he is practicing his Jack Nicholson.
• In an episode of The Simpsons called "Sideshow Bob Roberts", Bart and Sideshow Bob are in a courtroom and Bart says, "I want the truth!" Sideshow Bob responds, "You want the truth? You can't handle the truth! No truth-handler are you! Bah! I deride your truth-handling abilities!" In another episode, "Secrets of a Successful Marriage", Homer also mentions "You want the truth? You can't handle the truth!" as part of a rant that includes lines from Patton and Chinatown.
• In a promo for WrestleMania 21, John Cena played the Lt. Kaffee part and JBL played the Col. Jessep part to promote their match. This was a part of a series of promos the WWE made for WrestleMania 21 (which was held in Los Angeles that year) that were parodies of movies.
• A machinima, using the Source Engine, titled "A Few Good G-Men" ([1]), portrays the famous scene and quote, as well as showing Source's lip-syncing and emotion display ability.
• In the film The Big Hit, Cisco berates Melvin for his relationship troubles, telling him that he doesn't see the women he is involved with for what they truly are. Melvin exclaims that he wants the truth, and Crunch interupts them to shout "You can't handle the truth" in an obvious quote of A Few Good Men. Cisco impatiently tells Crunch to "Shut the f--- up".
• In his stand-up show I'm Swiss, comedian Bill Maher referred to the dishonesty in government by spoofing the famous line: "You want the truth? I can't remember the truth!"
• In an episode of Spin City the mayor quotes A Few Good Men in the press room.
• In an episode of the 3D animated show ReBoot, one of the characters is seeking a giant tooth, the object of a game. One of the male characters (Enzo or Bob) says "You want the tooth? You can't handle the tooth!"
• In the October 15, 2006, edition of Fox NFL Sunday, during the Frank's Picks segment, Frank Caliendo, impersonating Jack Nicholson, commented on members of the panel being picked to do the commentary for an upcomming college bowl game telling them "You can't handle the booth!", then immediately interjects with "Who writes this crap?"

[edit] External links

• A Few Good Men at the Internet Movie Database
• de:Eine Frage der Ehre

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