A man’s story of leaving New York in 1967 to bring beer to his childhood buddies in the Army while they are fighting in Vietnam.
Pam says:
To read Pam’s 3-star review, go to RHR
Chuck says:
Peter Farrelly’s “The Greatest Beer Run Ever,” is the sort of film studios in the 1940’s would have made, and audiences would have loved it. Its heart is in the right place and its too-strange-to-be-true story is tailor made for the movies. I just wish it weren’t so obvious. Zac Efron stars as Chickie, a New Yorker with little direction who, in a moment of drunken bravado, proclaims he’s going to Vietnam to deliver a beer to each of his neighborhood friends who are service members, as a sign of appreciation. No one thinks he’ll follow through but after a bit of pressure, Chickie finds himself on a cargo ship on his hairbrained quest.
His success is never in question, and neither is Farrelly’s intent as it’s obvious from the start that Chickie will undergo a change as he sees just what his friends are enduring and what the price of war truly is. It’s not that the story isn’t interesting, or the theme isn’t worthy, but the filmmaker’s approach lacks finesse. Efron keeps us hooked and Russell Crowe as a war correspondent adds a subtle strength to each scene he’s in. There’s nothing inherently wrong with the film but it lacks nuance, Farrelly’s safe approach muting its impact.
2 ½ Stars.
