Platoon

 Sometimes our own experience gives us unique insight and perspective that the world needs to know about.  Sometimes it blinds us to the kernel of truth and leads us astray from it.  In this movie, I would say that both are true.  Stone's own experiences in Vietnam no doubt made him uniquely qualified to create this film, and justify the existence of yet another in the "War is Hell" genre, even after Apocalypse Now should have had the final word.  Unlike that masterpiece though this film feels like it lost its way about halfway through.  I could put no finger on exactly why or where, until reading Pauline Kael's analysis: "too much poetic license, and too damn much romanticized insanity ... The movie crowds you; it doesn't leave you room for an honest emotion."  That's it exactly.  The film feels just grounded enough in authentic human experience and emotion, thanks in large part to Sheen's masterful performance, to promise something better--something real--but then loses itself in the effort to become Art.  Each piece is a part of a slightly different puzzle, and they never come together in a way that feels whole.  A good movie, but not great.