Good Morning, Vietnam (1987)

89% of critics liked it
(37 reviews)
78% of users liked it
(113,416 ratings)

The film begins in 1965, when disc jockey Adrian Cronauer (Robin Williams) is assigned to take over the AFR's Saigon radio broadcasts. In contrast to the dull, by-rote announcers that have preceded him, Cronauer is a bundle of dynamite, heralding each broadcast with a loud "Goooooood morning,… More The film begins in 1965, when disc jockey Adrian Cronauer (Robin Williams) is assigned to take over the AFR's Saigon radio broadcasts. In contrast to the dull, by-rote announcers that have preceded him, Cronauer is a bundle of dynamite, heralding each broadcast with a loud "Goooooood morning, Vietnaaaaam," playing whatever records tickle his fancy (even those not officially sanctioned by his hidebound superiors), and indulging in wild flights of improvisational fancy. Cronauer's immediate superior Lt. Hauk (Bruno Kirby), whose own notions of humor are puerile and pathetic, jealously attempts to dethrone Vietnam's favorite rock jock. Fortunately, Cronauer's popularity is such that he enjoys the full protection of the higher-ups. But when Cronauer, after experiencing the horrors of war first-hand, insists upon telling his listeners the truth instead of the official government line, he is instantly replaced by the unfunny Hauk and must struggle to get back on the air. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 1 min.
Directed By: Barry Levinson
Written By: Mitch Markowitz
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Dec 23, 1987 Wide
On DVD: Nov 10, 1998

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
From the start, the film bowls you over with excitement and for those who can latch on, it's a nonstop ride.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
Make no mistake about it: Mr. Williams's performance, though it's full of uproarious comedy, is the work of an accomplished actor. ''Good Morning, Vietnam'' is one man's tour de force.
Hal Hinson, Washington Post
It hardly delivers on the promise of giving us the pure, undiluted Williams -- Williams at his best. What's more, it's not even close to being his best movie. It's not even close to being good.
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
Good Morning, Vietnam proved that Robin Williams could act and be hilariously funny in the same film.
Afsheen Nomai, Common Sense Media
Robin Williams at his scatalogical finest.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Levinson serio-comedy about Vietnam is first and foremost a star vehicle for comedian Robin Williams, who gives a manic, highly-charged performance as the real-life dj Adrian Cronauer in the early years of the War.
Forrest Hartman, Reno Gazette-Journal
A perfect showcase for Robin Williams.
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
Good Morning Vietnam remains one of my favorite films about the Vietnam war because of its comedic take and ability to slip into real drama when needed.
Eric Meyerson, Filmcritic.com
a story about a mere class clown becoming a man at the gates of Hell.
Brent Simon, Now Playing Magazine
A superb example of the seamless blending of comedy, drama and an actor looking to branch out and test new waters.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Offering only hackneyed insights into the war, the film makes for stodgy drama. But Williams' manic monologues behind the mike are worth anybody's money.
Scott Weinberg, DVDTalk.com
If you haven't seen this one in a while, definitely consider picking it up again. I think it's a better film today than it was 18 years ago.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
When the movie ventures into plot, it becomes melodramatic and close to maudlin. When it stays on the airwaves, it's far more engaging.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
When Williams is on, the movie can be fairly funny; when he's not, it's too somber for its own good.

Read all 14 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jeff "

What you have with Good Morning Vietnam is a comedy set amidst the Vietnam war. The film emphasizes on comedy, but also has great bits of drama, just to refresh the audiences memory that despite the fact it's funny, it is set against a backdrop of a very controversial war.… More
What you have with Good Morning Vietnam is a comedy set amidst the Vietnam war. The film emphasizes on comedy, but also has great bits of drama, just to refresh the audiences memory that despite the fact it's funny, it is set against a backdrop of a very controversial war. Starring Robin Williams in the role of Adrian Cronauer, Cronauer is sent to Saigon, Vietnam to host Saigon radio broadcasts. Cronauer quickly built morale with his dynamite broadcasts. Good Morning Vietnam is a well crafted film that is just as funny, as it is dramatic. Robin Williams is excellent in his role, and it's hard to picture someone else in the role. I love the combination of dramatic elements with the comedy. Director Barry Levinson directs a great cast of talented actors and they all deliver great, memorable performances. Good Morning Vietnam uses it's dramatic elements to remind the viewer about the seriousness of it's story. After all, the film is set during the Vietnam war, and what the film does so well is show the horrors of war at the same being funny. At the time of it's release, doing a comedy set during the Vietnam war wasn't a popular idea for a film. But it works, and Levinson found the balance for both elements in one film. This is a great film that is a must see for fans of war fillms as well as people who enjoy comedies.
Jason O

Excellent, classic film that I never saw until last week. It shot immediately up there with my favorite Robin Williams flicks (Mrs. Doubtfire, Patch Adams, RV) the first time I saw it. Williams is hilarious in this film and you wonder how anyone couldn't find him funny. Even has… More
Excellent, classic film that I never saw until last week. It shot immediately up there with my favorite Robin Williams flicks (Mrs. Doubtfire, Patch Adams, RV) the first time I saw it. Williams is hilarious in this film and you wonder how anyone couldn't find him funny. Even has some interesting drama twists. The only thing I didn't like is that his interest in the Vietnamese girl seemed a bit forced into the film.
erika b

I really like Robin Williams and what he can bring to films.
Wahida K

His strategy: keep 'em laughing. His problem: staying out of trouble.
Film C

i dont know why i didnt want to watch this as this movie is brillaint , hilarious and robin williams does fantastic!! i really did enjoy this movie, its funny, witty, enjoyable, explosive and has action, sadness and romance! this movie has everything!! Robin wiliams plays a muched… More
i dont know why i didnt want to watch this as this movie is brillaint , hilarious and robin williams does fantastic!! i really did enjoy this movie, its funny, witty, enjoyable, explosive and has action, sadness and romance! this movie has everything!! Robin wiliams plays a muched loved by many radio announcer that is brought into the vietnam war to try and brighten up the troops fighting out there, soon he starts realising not everythings fun and games and sees the reality that the troops lives are at stake when i bombing happens! His friendship between a vietnamess man is strain by his romance with the sister and also something hes hiding!! A really creative and enjoyable movie to watch about the vietnam war and completely worth a watch!!
Anthony L

Good film, I have a few niggles with it but overall it's a good film.
Alice S

I like what this movie tries to do - complicate the political relationship between warring US and Vietnam by showing the social behind-the-scenes - but I can't say I like everything about its execution. Robin Williams is charismatic and understated at times, but then schticky… More
I like what this movie tries to do - complicate the political relationship between warring US and Vietnam by showing the social behind-the-scenes - but I can't say I like everything about its execution. Robin Williams is charismatic and understated at times, but then schticky and loud at others. The film humanizes the Other when it gets "serious," but I'm not sure what to make of the Asian stereotypes in the "everyday" hijinx, especially since Tuan's aftermath isn't discussed. I do like the war montage underscored by Armstrong's "Wonderful World" and Cronauer's impromptu street show for the GIs though.
Aaron N

Dickerson: This is not military issue, airman. What sort of uniform is that? Adrian Cronauer: Cretan camouflage sir. If you want to blend in with a bunch of drunken Greeks there's nothing better. Dickerson: That is humor. I recognize that. I also recognize your brand of… More
Dickerson: This is not military issue, airman. What sort of uniform is that? Adrian Cronauer: Cretan camouflage sir. If you want to blend in with a bunch of drunken Greeks there's nothing better. Dickerson: That is humor. I recognize that. I also recognize your brand of soldier. A lite war comedy that features my favorite performance from Robin Wiliams. Williams stars as Adrian Cronaer, a new DJ, shipped from Crete to 1964 Vietnam to bring humor to Armed Forces Radio. His broadcasts are unorthadox and become wildly popular with the troops but do not impress the middle management who think he isn't G.I. enough. While Adrian is off the air, he tries to meet Vietnamese girls, stumbles his way into becoming an English teacher, and begins to have brushes with the real war that never appears on the radio. The film is a mix of hilarious radio improv by Williams and some moments of reality involving the war. The war aspect is handled just right to stay in tone with the film. There are elements that don't try to dictate politics but attempt to get across the idea that the war is a large deal and Adrian only wants to bring some lightness into that perspective, even if he has to chose whether or not to censor when he is told to. There is a standard set of characters that both support and hate Adrian but they are cast well with Forest Whitaker, Bruno Kirby, JT Walsh, and Robert Wuhl all rounding out the supporting cast. Scenes between Williams and the Vietnamese people are good too. Also helping are the radio montages that feature all of the choice rock & roll tunes that Adrian chooses to play during his broadcasts. A very good movie that I always enjoy watching. Adrian Cronauer: Here's a little advice: Never eat in a Vietnamese restaurant next to a pound.
David L

This is a movie based (very loosely) on a true story. Adrian Cronauer (Robin Williams) is sent to Saigon in 1965. He's a radio DJ and is sent there to boost the morale of the troops. His off the wall manner on the radio and jokes make him very popular--but he meets opposition… More
This is a movie based (very loosely) on a true story. Adrian Cronauer (Robin Williams) is sent to Saigon in 1965. He's a radio DJ and is sent there to boost the morale of the troops. His off the wall manner on the radio and jokes make him very popular--but he meets opposition from obnoxious Sgt. Dickerson (J.T. Walsh) and stupid Lt. Hauk (Bruno Kirby). Then he falls in love with a Vietnamese woman and realizes he can't just ignore the violence all around him. This was a huge hit in 1987 and is the movie that made Williams a star. I loved it back then but not so much now. Williams' rantings on the radio really aren't that funny--the sequence where he entertains servicemen outside on trucks going off to combat has more laughs than anything else. Also this move shoves its sentimentality down your throat (it's no surprise this is a Disney picture). We hear these beautiful songs of the period over scenes of revolution and violence. Everything is painted in black and white. Walsh and Kirby are one-dimensional villains and Williams comes across as almost perfect. The acting is all good and Williams non-stop comedy bits are occasionally funny. But this movie just about grabs you by the throat and forces you to cry and just pours on the syrup. Worth seeing but no great shakes.
Luke B

The playful side of war. Well not exactly, but it does show how one man can bring just a tiny bit of joy to those in terrible times. Williams offers the escapism so deserved by the troops and the film details his struggles with his superiors. Though he doesn't struggle too much.… More
The playful side of war. Well not exactly, but it does show how one man can bring just a tiny bit of joy to those in terrible times. Williams offers the escapism so deserved by the troops and the film details his struggles with his superiors. Though he doesn't struggle too much. The most interesting aspects are his interaction with the Vietnamese and it builds a wonderful amount of emotional tension. Williams sometimes is TOO Robin Williams, his ad libbing sometimes becoming tiresome but he really excels in capturing the harder moments of acting such as the bombing scene and directly afterwards. The actual battle scenes are few but get to the horrific point. Uplifting but without showing in too much detail what the soldiers, who respect and enjoy Williams radio shows, are going through it's hard to imagine exactly how important his character is without imaging other films.
Candy R

During the Vietnam war Robin entertains the troops with this own unique DJing style.
Lenny M

Made Robin Williams a star, funny with serious undertones.
Alexander W

Shows two accounts of the vietnam war. Good, funny and tragedy
Dan S

This is a one-man show and Williams takes the cake. Hilarious and at times (especially the end) strictly dramatic movie about a man trying to find humor out of the worst of situations. Terrific.
Jennifer X

Ergh, I don't like Robin Williams in all his unrestrained glory. But I DID like that one scene with the Louis Armstrong song. What a wonderful worldddd...
xGary X

The drama behind the scenes lacks subtlety, and Williams tirades on the microphone just aren't funny, but it's well meaning and the fact-based story holds the interest adequately.
Jason S

Funny and smart.
Roy G

A comedy about life in the military that has more on its mind than just laughs.
Emily A

This movie has what it takes to make you really care about its characters: comedy and pathos. It pulls them both off very well too. My mother thought it was a little contrived, and I do admit that the whole co-workers-and-superiors-trying-to-snips-down-the-maverick has become a… More
This movie has what it takes to make you really care about its characters: comedy and pathos. It pulls them both off very well too. My mother thought it was a little contrived, and I do admit that the whole co-workers-and-superiors-trying-to-snips-down-the-maverick has become a hirrible cliche, but this movie must have been really fresh when it came out.
Leigh R

Good film.