3 out of 5 stars
Since winning the Academy Award for Green Book, director Peter Farrelly has been busy working on television projects and has not made a film since 2018. When it was announced that his next project would be a true story of The Greatest Beer Run Ever, most would think he was returning to his comedic roots. Yet, the title may be misleading for many when the realisation is that this is the actual account of John "Chickie" Donohue (Zac Efron), a young New Yorker who decides to take beers to his friends serving in the Vietnam War.
Based on the book of the same name by Joanna Molloy, this story begins in a neighbourhood bar in New York City in 1967. Chickie enjoys a few beers with friends at the local pub owned by The Colonel (Bill Murray), but some have gone off to fight in the Vietnam War. While on the streets of the city, there are protests against the war, the young, former merchant marine decides he will go over to the Southeast Asian country to encourage his mates by bringing them a beer to say thanks for their service. Even though most of his friends do not believe he will follow through on his semi-drunk proposal, he eventually signs on to a cargo ship’s crew and heads to the war.
Since he believes the accounts from the news, the sailor thinks he is heading into an area that is about as dangerous as the streets of New York. Upon arrival in Saigon, he is quickly reminded that this is a different world and that the war is very real. Chickie gets assistance from war correspondent Arthur Coates (Russell Crowe), and manages to charm his way onto the first base, where he meets one of his neighbourhood friends. From here, he does all he can to travel through the countryside as he attempts to deliver his message of hope and beer to his buddies. Still, the realities of war confront him at every turn.
Among the plethora of Vietnam films released over the years, it is difficult to catagorise Chickie Donohue’s ludicrous adventure. There are comedic elements, but it never reaches the heights of Good Morning, Vietnam. The film shows wartime situations that do not achieve the statements of Platoon or Full Metal Jacket. Yet, there is an endearing aspect of the New Yorker’s story that has a place within this genre that is unique. Peter Farrelly never pushes the storyline to something it is not meant to represent. He allows it to become a personal life lesson for an entitled young man who endures an extreme reality check.
Zac Efron delivers the needed emotion and innocent arrogance associated with someone who has been relegated to a limited world perspective. These life-changing days in Vietnam seem to be sensationalised for effect. Still, this character’s story had to be told if they were true. From being mistaken as a CIA operative to being fired upon numerous times, it was a surprise he lived to tell this unbelievably ridiculous tale. Russell Crowe’s role was the perfect foil to the naive, central character. As the seasoned journalist, he felt like he walked in from The Year of Living Dangerously set and provided the wartime sage needed to guide Efron’s wide-eyed tourist.
The Greatest Beer Run Ever is a compelling premise. It offers an unprecedented view of war, but never becomes as intoxicating as intended. Heart-warming and confronting, Donohue’s story has all the earmarks of those tall tales told amongst friends over a few beers.
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Russ Matthews' new book is a modern-day parable that introduces a radically easy way of talking about God’s story
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REEL DIALOGUE: Does your life have purpose?
John "Chickie" Donohue was led by a pang of guilt that his life had no purpose, and the best way to find it was to do what came naturally, taking a beer to his friends. What do you do with your life when it seems boring, purposeless, and lacking satisfaction? Is the answer to go off and join the circus, change jobs, or something crazy like the young man from New York?
Any of these options might answer the dilemma, but how do you know? King Solomon's writings in the book of Proverbs state that ‘The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.’ When looking for a purpose in this life, there can be no greater source for answers than the Creator. God can direct your path, if you allow him to guide you through your days. Have you taken the time to find out what the God of the Bible has in store for you?
