A dead private, two honor-bound marines, an obstinate colonel, a nagging commander, and Tom Cruise are apparently all you need for a thrilling courtroom drama. Aaron Sorkin’s play-turned-movie received massive acclaim for its widely successful 1992 blockbuster release; with its enthralling plot, ensemble cast, and twisting truth that can’t be handled.
However, the movie is coming back to the theater with Jesuit Director Chris Patterson at the helm leading a huge cast of competent actors. In case you forgot or are curious about just how many good men are there, let’s delve into a quick synopsis (nothing that may spoil it).
“Have you heard the term code red, sir?” – Galloway
A Few Good Men takes place in the late 80s, with tensions against Communism still at an all-time high. The play revolves around a hazing incident (or code red as it is called) at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba that goes horribly wrong and ends with the death of Marine Private William T. Santiago. The perpetrators, Private Louden Downey and Lance Corporal Harold Dawson are placed on trial for murder and it is up to navy lawyers Lieutenants Daniel Kaffee and Sam Weinberg, aided by Lieutenant Commander Joanne Galloway to uncover the truth.
“I know how to fight but you know how to win” – Galloway
Ultimately, the case enters the courtroom, and it’s up to the three lawyers to ensure the truth surrounding the leadership at Guantanamo: Colonel Jessep, Sergeant Kendrick, and Captain Markinson, gets out, or else a winding cover-up sends the two potentially innocent men to the slammer. With twists and turns and an extremely compelling script to boot, A Few Good Men does not hold back the punches.
“We follow orders or people die, it’s that simple” – Jessep
Amid this thrilling courtroom drama, various important messages are highlighted. One is the poignant message of following orders despite questionable intentions, which raises many important questions about our ability to interpret commands and make the proper decisions. You see this dichotomy with Dawson and Downey who are forced to make a questionable decision which, in some people’s eyes, is necessary to maintain order.
You also see the power of loyalty, honor, commitment to a cause, and the importance of not being chained to preconceived notions of our destiny. All of these are really reflected in the main character Kaffee. Despite his bluster, he struggles with finding the power and balance of all these different callings, creating a compelling character arc as he finds the value in being a true lawyer.
In preparation for the show, I interviewed the director Mr. Patterson who was happy to provide some more commentary about the show.
Why did you choose A Few Good Men for the Fall show?
“The script had been in my office just sitting here for years and it had always been kind of a possibility, because one of my first years here at Jesuit as a teacher I directed the final, dramatic scene as a One Act, so that has kinda been in the back of my mind. Then Jace Petrutsas ’25 started talking about it in the Spring and I found the script in my office and read it and I figured it was a really good fit for our school, a lot of guy parts, obviously very well-known, and it felt right.”
What’s your favorite scene from the entire show?
“I don’t want to say the most popular, “You can’t handle the truth” one even though those scenes are really great. I think the scene where Kaffee and Jo and Sam go down to Cuba and they first meet Jessep, Kendrick, and Markinson and the different dynamics, that’s really fun to direct. And really any scene with Dawson and Kaffee based on how much they hate each other.”
What’s the most important message for someone to get from the show?
“The main question is at what point do the manmade and kind of tribalistic laws; what happens when those conflict with one’s own morality, and how does one justify doing something that is intrinsically and morally wrong by saying: they just got the order to do it, it’s out of their hands and they had to do it because that makes them a good marine. So I guess the message is to not fall into that hypocrisy and that inability to ever really actually reflect on where you’re getting your moral compass from.”
Though I may have actor bias, I firmly believe this show is worth the watch even if you haven’t watched the movie. Whether it be because you were forced to, you were bribed, or you just like good theater, you won’t be disappointed.
“You can’t handle the truth!” – Jessep
The shows are from Thursday the 9th to Sunday the 12th and tickets are live right now to order ahead of time. You can also see which cast is for which night (Thursday and Saturday for me). 5$ for students and 10$ for adults. I’d love to see you there!
Tickets: https://www.jesuitdallas.org/student-life/clubs-co-curriculars/stage-film
Stay tuned to the Roundup for more Stage and Film coverage!
