Rating: PG13
Genre:
Comedy Drama
Theatrical Release: 03/25/1988(USA)
Release Date: 01/20/2004
SubTitles: French/Espanol
Dubbed: English/French
Sound: DS
Run Time: 107 Minutes
Flags: Adult Situations, Strong Sexual Content, Not For Children, Adult Language, Profanity
Distributor/Studio: Universal Studios
Biloxi Blues was the second of playwright
Neil Simon's semi-autobiographical trilogy (number one was
Brighton Beach Memoirs; number three,
Broadway Bound).
Matthew Broderick stars as
Simon's alter ego Eugene Morris Jerome, who is drafted and shipped off to boot camp in Biloxi, Mississippi in the waning days of World War II. Eugene is at the mercy of near-psychotic drill sergeant Toomey (
Christopher Walken), who seems to have a personal vendetta against the poor schlemiel (Toomey also has all the film's best lines). While sweating out basic training, Eugene is indoctrinated into manhood by local prostitute Rowena (
Park Overall). The film version of
Biloxi Blues retains the wit and poignancy of the theatrical original--except towards the end, which pointlessly emphasizes a showdown between Eugene and Toomey.
~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide