Under Fire (1983)

☆ ☆ ☆ ½

Under Fire (1983) – R. Spottiswoode

American journalists get involved in the war in Nicaragua in 1979, first as amoral observers and then later with more sympathy and investment. The film is pretty clear and explicit about the negative contributions made by the US Government to the situation (supporting and arming a series of brutal dictators) even having one local express the sentiment that the killing of a US journalist might be the only thing that could get average Americans to pay attention to the tragedy (the fact that filmmakers need to include American characters in a film about the Nicaraguan civil war is a more implicit echo of the same idea).  These American journalists (Nick Nolte, Joanna Cassidy, and Gene Hackman) and, worse, a callous soldier of fortune (Ed Harris), demonstrate their self-absorption and neglect for the people of Nicaragua as they interlope looking for a story (or money).  And as Americans have often done when intervening in foreign nations, they muck it up.  The plot itself is rather aimless, focusing at times on the love triangle between Cassidy, Nolte, and Hackman, and at other times on their attempts to meet the rebel leaders.  Late in the film, an ethical and moral dilemma is presented (should the journalists take sides and “editorialise”?) but there are many unintended consequences despite their “right” choice (a nuanced aspect of the screenplay).  All told, it’s a thoughtful, although not quite focused, film that nobly sought to present an honest interrogation of US involvement overseas while also approaching something more acceptable to mainstream Hollywood.