In the fall of 1963, Eddie Birdlace is an 18-year-old Marine Corps volunteer who is about to ship out with three of his buddies for a tour of duty in Vietnam. Planning a massive blowout for their last night in San Francisco, Eddie, his buddies, and a number of other Marines set up a contest they call a "dogfight”.
Acting
Lili Taylor's Rose is defiant, vulnerable, unforgettable.
Direction
Savoca finds humanity in the unforgivable premise.
Writing
Dialogue that stings then unexpectedly warms.
Director
Nancy Savoca
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Lili Taylor and River Phoenix were both 21, but Phoenix had already been nominated for an Oscar; this was Taylor's breakthrough.
The 'dogfight' was a real, documented Marine tradition in 1960s San Francisco—Savoca found it in Bob Comfort's original play.
US
