The General's Daughter
Dir: Simon West
1999
**
Simon West's 1999 drama/thriller, The General's Daughter, somewhat condemns the U.S. army's stance of global superiority, independence, secrecy and the overall idea that they are above the law. In some respects, the story supports this notion and also declares itself as 100% patriotic, so it's quite confusing really but it's safe to say this isn't because it is a clever satire or a post-modernist protest. Visually, it's got all the same formulaic styling and the same 'army porn' nonsense as all American military films have. The story is compelling to a point but it soon delivers the disturbing and quite offensive message that basically, every man is a potential rapist/murder and all round a**hole. Fairly insulting to men but it's also not exactly respectful to women either, even though it's supposed to be supportive. Insulting and stupid, contradictory writing and nonsensical ideas make for brain-dead viewing.