The film Courage Under Fire is the most recent offering in a long line of war time dramas that ponder the issue of honor in battle. As early as Homer's Iliad humans have established a code of conduct deemed appropriate for war. The code is something like the kindergarten principle that it doesn't matter whether you win or lose, its how you play the game. Except, of course, war isn't a game, and it really does matter who wins.

        Homer and the ancient Greeks claimed a warrior had arete if he behaved in a heroic manner portraying nobility and honor to himself, his family and his country. Heroism and the pursuit of arete have been the essential ingredients of many war movies, John Wayne had it in The Sands of Iwo Jima, as did all the G.I.'s in Guadalcanal Diary. So Courage Under Fire as first appears to merely rehash issues we have seen before.

        The plot revolves around the investigation of whether or not Captain Walden displayed enough arete, or courage under fire in the Gulf War to deserve the Medal of Honor. The narrative is cleverly presented, since there is a double issue of honor unraveling in the movie. Denzel Washington, as Colonel Serling, has been given the task of ascertaining Captain Walden's courage under fire. He has been given this job because his own courage is under investigation. Serling is therefore doubly keen to uncover the truth about Walden in the hope that he will thus discover the truth about himself.

        Denzel Washington's performance is utterly superb. He is well suited to the portrayal of a military character since he is a no-nonsense kind of actor. Yet his character has a human side, too, and Washington helps the audience feel the pain and anguish of a career soldier who has made a fatal error.

        Serling's search for the truth about Captain Walden unfolds like a well constructed "who dunnit". He weaves his way through all the intrigue and cover up like Perry Mason. The journey is not always pleasant. The battle scenes are realistic and horrific. Indeed, courage under fire is also required of the audience, since this isn't a lighthearted, cheerful movie. In parts this film feels a lot like the real thing, and the audience flinches and winces accordingly.

        The real twist to this movie is the fact that Captain Walden is a woman. It is this emotionally charged aspect of the movie that is the most interesting, and the least clarified. Various reactions are aroused by Captain Walden's gender. Colonel Serling opens her file and says "Its a woman." The publicity hungry White House officials promote awarding the medal to a woman as an equal opportunity stunt, and the audience reacts with recognition, since the part of Walden is played by Meg Ryan.

        But it is her crew's reaction to Captain Walden's gender that really matters in this movie. This is a delicate issue. Does a Southern Belle have the stamina to bark orders to men? Can she hope to be taken seriously even if she cries?

        Buried under the bravado of whether or not Walden deserves the medal of honor is the real issue. An issue that military schools, the supreme court and congress are now dealing with. What is the role of women in combat?

        I am still pondering the message behind the treatment of Captain Walden in this movie. I won't say more lest I spoil the story, but I wonder if she is considered for the medal merely as a nod towards affirmative action, or because she truly displays arete?

        The more I think about this movie, the more I want to think about it. Hence, I wholeheartedly recommend it. I found Courage Under Fire to be a stimulating and t hought provoking morality play.

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