Don't listen to the negative reviews

Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

Great movie. Not sure what people expected but I found it highly entertaining.

Overall a failure as a movie.Several times at the start the film dies before it has even gotten started: at the very start; at the high school graduation; at the repetitive scenes of the girl running.Not a good way to start a movie.The main character certainly fooled me. I would not have guessed she was British.The only scenes of interest were those dealing with the veterans. The war scenes were pathetically done.A half-hearted effort by a poor director.Stay away from this one.

Modern-day story has an inquisitive young teen unearthing the past and discovering the father she never knew by reading his diary; he died in combat before her birth, and the girl's interest spurs her war-scarred uncle to take her on an emotional visit to the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial. Opening in late September 1989, this film was touted in all the major newspapers as Bruce Willis' Oscar role (though he was overlooked by the Academy when the time came). Seen today, the picture doesn't seem to have any purpose except to showcase the actor's range (limited as it is) and also to squeeze dry the remaining emotions left behind by the Vietnam experience--Hollywood style. Emily Lloyd, as the kid in question, and Peggy Rea, as Mamaw, are tiresome copies of distinctly old-fashioned archetypes--the wise juvenile and the salty matriarch--used over and over in similar movie scenarios since WWII (and probably beyond). Norman Jewison directed, without an ounce of honest inspiration. Whatever discussions or suspicions are addressed in the script, they're pretty much forgotten by the finale--which does everything just shy of saluting. *1/2 from ****

After "Platoon" (1986) won best picture at the Oscars, the late eighties saw a fare few Hollywood stars jumping to roles in Vietnam dramas. In this film we see Bruce Willis playing a moody Vietnam veteran with one hell of a moustache. It is his first real stab at a serious role, and he pulls it off quite well. Emily Lloyd plays the inquisitive niece who is interested in the war, mainly due to her Father's death whilst in service.The film meanders along the path of a man coming to terms with his experiences in Vietnam, but due to the poor script, doesn't really stand out as anything special when put alongside other films of a similar subject. That said, there is a heart-wrenching scene that highlights Willis's acting ability as the character pours out his troubled thoughts.Overall, "In Country" is only really worth your time if you are either a fan of the Vietnam genre, or want to see Willis as an emotional wreck.

While many of the comments here have voiced distaste for Emily Lloyd's performance, I've found it , along with the Grandmother, to be very true to Appalachia...I taught many, many students who talked like Sam, and had her personality traits.The people of Appalachia built this country by working the coal mines and steel mills, and in a very real sense never benefited in the wealth they helped create. In Country brings this out, by telling the story of of some of these people. During the Vietnam War, the press many times focused on either the heroic volunteer, or soldiers from our city ghettos, and left out the stories of the many men from rural areas who made sacrifices.After having the film on Laserdisc for some time now, I recently saw it priced on DVD for $6.00. It IS an underrated film, and I challenge anyone not to choke up in the final scenes at the Vietnam War Memorial,