Sorkin’s A Few Good Men is back on stage in New York and receiving mixed reviews. I saw it last night, and thought it was quite good. Based on reactions, the quality largely depends on where you’re sitting in the Vivian Beaumont Theater (Lincoln Center). I was near the stage and could hear and see things well.
The first act — the build up — works better than the second act, the climax. Which is unusual for a play that is all about revelation and escalation. I believe this is largely to do with the tone: the esoteric, ritualistic world of the military is most interesting at the beginning, as we’re entering it.
And with how the the lawyers — Blyth, Rodriguez, Blaemire — and the two marines on trial — especially Lavel Schley, wow! — are just far better cast than the famous colonel.
Despite Bradley Whitford being the star and the draw here, I was rarely convinced by him, not after the whole world had seen Jack Nicholson in this role, not without Whitford completely rebuilding this character from scratch, which I don’t think he did. Still, the rhythm, the style, the humor — it mostly worked for me. Definitely worth watching if you can get a ticket.
Like a good Hegelian tragedy, the issue at the heart of A Few Good Men is that both sides are right. On the one hand, there is the clear, transparent, egalitarian world of theoretic democracy. The law as it is written down. On the other, the dirty business of keeping that well-groomed and well-intentioned world safe. Reality as it actually happens. A timeless problem and a constant conflict. Which America is the real one? You go and try to decide.
Didn't like the movie, but that was many years ago when it came out. I've changed my opinion on a lot of things since then. I won't be able to see the play but you make me want to give the movie another go.