'Buffalo Soldiers' a blast in Berlin

Buffalo Soldiers

Director: Gregor Jordan

Cast: Joachin Phoenix, Ed Harris, Scott Glenn, Dean Stockwell, Anna Paquin, Elizabeth McGovern

Cert: 18.

The Berlin Wall is about to come down (the story is set circa l989) and we meet a group of US soldiers bored and behaving badly. It's a black comedy in which the US Army abroad doesn't emerge with much credit.

The soldiers are young men with nothing to do, except - in the case of the wonderful Phoenix - try to expand their income with some highly dubious outside activities. It's a lot like the funny Sgt. Bilko pushing the limits and endurance of his hapless commanding officer (Harris standing in for the constantly-bemused Colonel Hall), but with a much sharper edge.

What at first seems merely 'petty crime' leads to more serious consequences and the plotline is carried along in splendid fashion by deft directing from Jordan and full-throttle acting from a fine cast.

Star Rating: 4/5.