Tigers X - Number one Source to Talk Auburn Tigers Sports

The Sympathizer

Kaos

  • *
  • 29557
  • It's GO time
    • No, YOU Move!
The Sympathizer
« on: May 21, 2024, 07:16:42 AM »
The Sympathizer

Vietnam. 1970s.

From Hollywood, so of course we're supposed to relate to a double agent who's anti-American and working for the communists. That's our lead character. He's infiltrated the South Vietnamese leadership and brings his double-crossing ways to the US where he continues to spy for the Viet Cong. That's our hero.

Sandra Oh, whose face has gone puffy but seemingly has a pretty decent body, becomes the commie's love interest.

So far as I can see, this is mostly a vehicle for Robert Downey Junior to sport some pretty amazing makeup and play multiple roles. Characters like a shady CIA agent who looks a lot like James Caan, a flamboyantly, fruitily gay professor of Oriental Studies at some obscure California college, a stereotyped 70s film director, and a Bob Dole-ish Vietnam War veteran turned politician (crippled hand and all). In the third episode, all four of these oddball characters end up at the same table. It's weird.

I'm having trouble generating any sympathy for an America-hating communist spy.  Also kind of disgusted that this is the protagonist Hollywood gives us. The VC tortured and mutilated our soldiers. Their treatment was inhumane and barbaric. This guy should be the enemy, being hunted down.

I have a problem with the premise of this series, Downey's pretty amazing makeup (and performances) aside.
« Last Edit: May 21, 2024, 07:45:33 AM by Kaos »
friendly
0
funny
0
like
0
dislike
0
No reactions
No reactions
No reactions
No reactions
If you want free cheese, look in a mousetrap.

CCTAU

  • *
  • 13066
  • War Eagle!
Re: The Sympathizer
« Reply #1 on: May 21, 2024, 02:45:14 PM »
The Sympathizer

Vietnam. 1970s.

From Hollywood, so of course we're supposed to relate to a double agent who's anti-American and working for the communists. That's our lead character. He's infiltrated the South Vietnamese leadership and brings his double-crossing ways to the US where he continues to spy for the Viet Cong. That's our hero.

Sandra Oh, whose face has gone puffy but seemingly has a pretty decent body, becomes the commie's love interest.

So far as I can see, this is mostly a vehicle for Robert Downey Junior to sport some pretty amazing makeup and play multiple roles. Characters like a shady CIA agent who looks a lot like James Caan, a flamboyantly, fruitily gay professor of Oriental Studies at some obscure California college, a stereotyped 70s film director, and a Bob Dole-ish Vietnam War veteran turned politician (crippled hand and all). In the third episode, all four of these oddball characters end up at the same table. It's weird.

I'm having trouble generating any sympathy for an America-hating communist spy.  Also kind of disgusted that this is the protagonist Hollywood gives us. The VC tortured and mutilated our soldiers. Their treatment was inhumane and barbaric. This guy should be the enemy, being hunted down.

I have a problem with the premise of this series, Downey's pretty amazing makeup (and performances) aside.

I thought this was movie about songbird McCain after reading your first few lines....
friendly
0
funny
0
like
0
dislike
0
No reactions
No reactions
No reactions
No reactions
Five statements of WISDOM
1. You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity, by legislating the wealth out of prosperity.
2. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.
3. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.
4. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.
5. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friends, is the beginning of the end of any nation.

GH2001

  • *
  • 23868
  • I'm a Miller guy. Always been. Since I was like, 8
Re: The Sympathizer
« Reply #2 on: May 21, 2024, 03:47:09 PM »
I thought this was movie about songbird McCain after reading your first few lines....

Vietnam, Double Agent, sold out his own guys, anti American.....yep, sounds about right. 
friendly
0
funny
0
like
0
dislike
0
No reactions
No reactions
No reactions
No reactions
WDE