A Few Good Men (1992) First Time Watching! Movie Reaction!! 

An amazing and engaging legal battle! This movie was packed with A-List talent and their performances were legendary! Thank you for your support!

One aspect I like allot about this film is that Reiner didn't force a romantic connection between Cruise and Moore. Such a welcome change.

Fun fact: when Kaffey does the impression of Colonel Jessup ("He eats breakfast 300 yard from 4,000 Cubans who are trying to kill him"), that was completely improvised by Cruise and the laughing by Moore and Pollack is real

DID YOU REQUEST THE A FEW GOOD MEN REACTION?!?! YOU'RE GOD DAMN RIGHT I DID!

34:32 And that brief moment of stunned silence when everyone is like, "whoa... he actually admitted it" is my favorite part of the entire thing. I love it when Kaffee is taken aback for a moment and standing there realizing he just got the confession he was fighting for.

My absolute favorite part is Kaffee questioning Jessup. He sets up the trap and Jessup in his hubris walks right into it.

1. “We live in a world of walls, And those walls have to be guarded by men with guns.” If Colonel Jessup had transferred Santiago, the replacement likely would have been up to Marine Corps standards. 2. “We follow orders, or people die. It’s as simple as that.” Jessup received orders from his commanding officer’s from U.S. Navy Region Southeast. Those orders were to cease and desist in the use of code reds as a disciplinary practice. He disobeyed that order. Santiago died as a result. It always struck me how Colonel Jessup was both correct and wrong at the same time.

Another classic. Jack Nicholson really is a great actor.

Tom’s best performance in my opinion. All the actors brought it to this film. Something noteworthy, this was Aaron Sorkin’s first credit as a writer. If you’re familiar with Sorkin, you can tell when you watch but he’s one of the best dialogue writers in film and TV.

The Classic take at the end was done a dozen times so that Rob Reiner could get different angles and reactions. Finally, Jack shouts "YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH". Each take, Jack was as intense as another. Someone asked him why he went all out instead of holding back on some of the takes. He just smiled and said, "I just love to act!"

You guys nailed the movie: it's not about the "what" of the case, but rather the "how." Kaffey lays out his strategy after deciding to put Jessup on the stand, but when Sam asks him "how are you going to do that?", Cruise answers, "I have no idea."

As a Marine veteran, this is probably my favorite movie in the military genre. Most are products of a Hollywood director and producers who have a jaded view of the military, and while they all have military advisors, they tend to be way over the top taking advantage of the majority of the audience that has no military experience. Full Metal Jacket is the perfect example. But in this one, I've met Marines who remind me of each of the different personalities in this flick, and it does convey to some degree the reality of a lot of Marines in combat units, including Jessup and Kendrick. I also spent a year deployed on two different Navy ships, and the difference between Marine and Naval Officers in this film is equally as stark as during the time I served. I got out the year this flick was released. Beyond that, the story was really good and the actors were top notch. Just a fun flick that brings back some good memories. Never saw a Marine killed by another Marine, and we didn't have the term "Code Red", but inter-unit justice was definitely a thing. I know of a Marine who was tossed off the second story balcony of the barracks at Pulgas (Pendleton) for stealing a camera, and ass-kickings were pretty regular. As an NCO in a combat MOS I wouldn't physically attack a Marine in my charge, but I had lots of holes dug in the desert, and, um, some other ways to discipline them in ways that would not result in permanent marks - on their record. Was fun watching you react to this one.

I've always loved that Demi Moore line: "Cause they stand on a wall, and they say nothing is going to hurt you tonight. Not on my watch." Powerful writing.

This wasn't just about Santiago's death anymore... it was about forging paperwork, doctoring log books, a cover up, and, ultimately, perjury. You don't get a slap on the wrist for all of that. Also, two privates were crushed that they were dishonorably discharged... imagine what that kind of verdict would do to a high-ranking colonel.

Samantha: “Kevin Bacon is good.” My head: “yes everybody loves bacon!” lol

Cruise gets some shit, but he was amazing in this movie, as was the whole cast.

Another court trial movie that I recommend is "My Cousin Vinny" starring Joe Pesci, Marisa Tomei, and Ralph Macchio.

The script was written by Aaron Sorkin, also responsible for _The West Wing, The American President, Charlie Wilson's War, The Social Network, Moneyball,_ etc. Best known for his smart, snappy dialogue, if you haven't seen any of the above and would like to see more great scenes like the climax of this movie, check 'em out.

Another Rob Reiner film that needs to be on your radar is 'This is Spinal Tap'. Absolutely hilarious film that further shows off the fact that Reiner was capable of handling any type of story he was trying to tell with aplomb. It's a scathing "Rock-umentary" about the '80s heavy metal/rock scene, and just about every scene will crack you up.

One of my favorite movies of all time. Up until this movie I was totally in action movies. With this movie for the first time I understood power of words (The other one worth mentioning is Twelve angry men(1957)). Together with Star Wars, Ben-Hur (1959) and Amadeus (1984) this is the only movie that I probably saw more then 10 times.

27:41 Dawson & Downey didn't lie to their lawyers. They just have a terrible habit of not revealing such info w/o being asked.

One of the greatest scripts in movie history. I’m a huge fan of dialogue in movies.

Great movie! Another great legal drama is A Time to Kill (1996) with Matthew McConaughey, Sandra Bullock, and Samuel L. Jackson.

Honestly, Samantha's expressions during the final cross-examination were as much an emotional rollercoaster as Nicholson's performance.

Loved the look of "wtf just happened right now??" on Jack's (Kevin Bacon) face when Jessup confessed. One of the most satisfying scenes even tho his character was likeable.

Rob Reiner really turned into a great director. My favorite 2 of his were "Misery" and "Stand By Me" (Both Stephen King stories) Another great Tom Cruise court based movie is "The Firm" That's a fun one.

"The witness is excused." - Such a great line. Kevin Pollack, the actor who played Sam, is a stand-up comedian turned dramatic actor, and he was known to do a perfect mimic of Jack Nicholson. On days that Nicholson wasn't on set, and they were shooting shots of people reacting to Nicholson talking, they'd usually have a crew member read the lines and just dub over them, but Pollack ended up doing his impression of Nicholson and, rumor has it, there are some audio clips in the film (when you hear Nicholson in the courtroom, but not see him) that are actually Pollack! Nicholson came to the set several times on his days off and ended up, unbeknownst to Pollack, sitting in on Pollack doing this! If you like this kind of movie, let me make two recommendations. For another Rob Reiner movie, that was also written by Aaron Sorkin, who wrote the scrip to this film (based on his own play), I highly recommend The American President. For a film that has a similar character relationship/dynamic between the characters, check out Crimson Tide, starring Gene Hackman and Denzel Washington (among a whole bunch of other famous actors in numerous roles). It takes place on a nuclear submarine, but it has a similar vibe - a struggle between two egos, between ideas of ethics, following orders, disobeying orders, etc. It's a great film. FYI - civilians would never sit on the jury of a court martial. The crime was perpetrated by members of the armed services on a military base, so the jurisdiction falls under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Misdemeanors are dealt with by issuing Article 15s, and more severe crimes go to a court martial, summary, special, and general, with general being the big ones, like the one in the film. Some court martials have no juries, instead having a judge or panel of judges, but in general court martials pertaining to capital crimes, there is always a jury. Officers on trial always have officers in the jury box, whereas enlisted can have all officers in their jury box or request that a certain amount of the jurors (I think 2/3rds) be made up of enlisted personnel. (I did ROTC).

I love this movie! Glad you enjoyed it as well. Another courtroom movie from this era is "A Time to Kill", which is really good as well- funnily also has Keifer Sutherland playing a character that you absolutely hate. Would love to see that one added to a poll if you've never seen it before!

Nominated for 4 Oscars including Best Picture. Nominated for 5 Golden Globes including Best Picture, in the Drama Category. The film was a box office hit, $243 million dollars against a $40 million dollar budget.

CAN'T WAIT TO WATCH THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll post a follow up when I'm done (like you care). ;) Schmitt and beauty queen Samantha rock.

The truth shall set you free.

Crimson Tide would be another great military movie to watch with some amazing performances by the actors.

One of the best movie dramas of all time. You can watch this movie 100x & still enjoy it.

This was originally a play. Set in a courtroom set mostly

My mom loves this movie so I've seen it hundreds of times; my family still quotes it to each other. My favorite is, "Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to!" So funny to see someone react to it! Hopefully someone comes across your reaction as it's a fun watch with a bonus of eye candy - yes, that includes Nicholson 😝 Even though it is likely that Jesseps character would've gotten a slap on the wrist 😅 the ending is so satisfying.

Another great court drama (and great comedy) is My Cousin Vinny if you haven't watched it.

In a court you are judged by a jury of your peers ( people like you) for the military that means soldiers. But they must be equal or superior in rank . And the military have a separate justice system. There own police, medical, judicial ect . Its like for a doctor before a medical board you are judged by a panel of doctors.

Jack Nicholson's performance in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" is one of my favorites. One of the few movies to win all 5 of the major Academy Awards categories. Also worthy of noting is the performances of a much younger Danny Devito, Scatman Crothers and Christopher Lloyd (Taxi and Back to the Future series).

My brother was stationed at Guantanamo around the time the movie came out and he spent a lot of the on base scenes going "That's not there... That's not there... that building is on the other side of the Bay from there... etc."

Once again, smashed that button. Y'all are among my very favorite reactors.

I WANT THE TRUTH! YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH! Such a powerful movie and such powerful performances from Jack Nicholson to Tom Cruise to Demi Moore.

If you ever doubt or forget that Tom Cruise is actually a great actor, then watch (or REwatch) A few good men.

In a Military Trial there is never civilian jurors if a Jury is even used [it is not in all instances under the UCMJ] The Jury in the military is filled with military members only, often NCO's and Officers...

The guy that played one of the 2 guys Lance Cpl. Harold W. Dawson found guilty on only one of the charges, before this movie had no acting experience at all. He was actual a location scout for this movie when he had a chance passing with the director who wanted him in the film. I don't remember if there was more to it, but i remember that was the basic jist of the matter.

I watch this film every single time it shows up on TV. It's so good

Aaron Sorkin wrote this, and his dialogue is usually fast and brilliant, such an incredible story.

One of my favorite films by one of my favorite writers!!! This is the work that put Aaron Sorkin on the map. Without this...'The West Wing' and 'The Newsroom' would never been on our TV screens, and films like 'The Social Network' (which earned Sorkin his Oscar), 'The American President', 'Moneyball', 'Steve Jobs', and others might not have been written. It was a play first, and the Broadway production starred Tom Hulce (best known for his Oscar nominated performance as Mozart in 'Amadeus') as Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee and Stephen Lang (best known as Colonel Quaritch in James Cameron's 'Avatar') as Colonel Nathan Jessup. The play was a huge hit, but didn't get many Tony nominations...Hulce was nominated for Best Actor in a Play. The play was inspired by a phone call between Sorkin and his sister, who was a new lawyer fresh out of law school and was doing a three year stint in the U.S. Navy's Judge Advocate General Corps. She was on the real case that inspired the play...but the facts of the case were altered to fit a more dramatic story. The play was so impressive to producers, and Rob Reiner...it was only three years between the Broadway production and the film release...with Sorkin adapting his own play for the screen...after this Reiner and Sorkin did 'The American President' with Michael Douglas and Annette Bening, a charming romantic comedy that is also amazing. Sorkin's work demands that the actors learn the script word perfect. No alterations because Sorkin understands dialogue and how it works. The musicality of the words and how it works to really show character. There are some actors that cannot handle Sorkin's dialogue...and the actors who line up to work on ANYTHING he does is long and impressive. He is now directing as well. His first film, 'Molly's Game' had Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba, his second 'The Trial of the Chicago 7' is on Netflix, and his third will be released in theaters and on Amazon Prime very soon...'Being The Ricardos' about Lucille Ball (played by Nicole Kidman) and Desi Arnaz (played by Javier Bardem) will release December 10, 2021. 21:18 - Commander Stone, the doctor on the stand is Christopher Guest, who worked with Rob Reiner on 'The Princess Bride' as Count Rugen, the six-fingered man, and who also was in Reiner's docu-comedy 'This Is Spinal Tap'. In fact Guest co-wrote 'Spinal Tap' with Reiner, Harry Shearer, and Michael McKean...Guest played Nigel Tuftnel in that movie. He's also Jamie Lee Curtis's husband...and a titled nobleman in the UK (seriously!!!)...The Right Honourable Lord Christopher Haden-Guest, 5th Baron of Haden-Guest. I am not kidding... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Guest

This movie is a masterpiece. One of the best court dramas and military movies ever. And all the actors are at the top of their game. And for the sad and thrilling that the story is, there is a lot of comedy in there, that doesn't seems out of place.

Y'all on a tear with these films... and I get to relive the effect of watching them for the first time thru your eyes!

I remember watching this film at the movies, brilliant film. I love the fact that it relies on the acting abilities of the cast rather than being a action pact movie.

For some earlier scary Kiefer Sutherland in another movie directed by Rob Reiner watch Stand By Me (1986).

There's nothing like Aaron Sorkin writing, this, The Social Network, The West Wing, Sports Night, The Newsroom, Moneyball... When good actors get a hand on his writing it's just magic.

Gah, 'LA Confidential': always the bridesmaid in your drama polls. One of these days... Also: you guys should definitely watch Rob Reiner's 'When Harry Met Sally...'. The way he was able to jump around genres is something you don't see too much anymore.

Need some Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World! :D

'You cant handle the truth' was quoted EVERYWHERE for about 3 years.

I love the way Malcolm Ncdowell said "you can't handle the truth!" In the movie "Suing The Devil"

Absolutely 1 of the best courtroom stories! Would recommend, INHERIT THE WIND, the original 12 ANGRY MEN, MY COUSIN VINNIE, & A TIME TO KILL, as some other superb courtroom dramas. Love you guys and your reactions!

Guys, another great reaction. As has been said before on other videos, you MUST do a reaction to Heat. DeNiro, Pacino, Kilmer and so many more great actors. Movie is almost 3 hours long, but totally worth it.

Imagine being on set with Kevin Pollak, during Jack Nicholson’s performances. It’s like being at the most fun acting school there is. He just blows everyone away. I worked with people who worked with him in the UK on Batman. A story I heard was that one day during filming he was messing around with two of the crew, and ruined his makeup on his way to the set. Everyone freaked out. He covered for them, saying he fell down the stairs or something and blamed the studio. Got back into make up for another two hours and carried on. Everyone said he was a really kind and mellow guy and not at all what you’d expect. Super intelligent too.

If this movie had a flaw, it was by limiting the screen time of a great actor - the late great JT Walsh (Markinson). I've liked his performances in every single movie I've seen him in.

A couple of recommendations based on this film. First, I recommend the film Collateral from 2004, which stars Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx. Second, I recommend Stanley Kubrick's war film Paths of Glory from 1957, which stars Kirk Douglas, father of Michael Douglas. Collateral obviously because of Cruise and Paths of Glory because it has a pretty similar theme to A Few Good Men, but also because both of these movies are among my favorite all-time films. EDIT: Collateral was directed by Michael Mann, who also directed Manhunter which you've reacted to.

The funny little bit with Jessup jokingly saying they're surrendering and Tom being like "OK" is brilliant. It shows the absolute authority that Jessup has over the men. Tom didn't hesitate because as Jessup likes to brag about, when he gives an order it is followed. I love little bits of detail like that.

*"Why would Santiago be in danger?"* Probably the best under the radar line in movie history. Completely threw Colonel Nathan on his azz.

Nicholson is so great in every movie he appears in. Check out Witches of Eastwick, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, Chinatown or Terms of Endearment for just a few of his best films.👍

Rob Reiner is just so good, in so many genres. Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, When Harry Met Sally, all the way up to Flipped which was fantastic.

You should watch the movie Taps if you haven't already, starring Tom Cruise, Sean Penn, and Timothy Hutton, with George C. Scott and Ronny Cox in supporting roles. It's not anything like A Few Good Men, but it's also a movie about what happens when duty gets in the way of doing the right thing. It blew my mind when I first saw it as a teenager. I think it's Tom Cruise's first film (actually his might technically be a supporting role, but it's pivotal). {And, holy cow! I just noticed Giancarlo Esposito is in it, too!)

JT Walsh (Markinson aka Glasses) is one of the best "Hey, it's That Guy!" actors ever. Always solid, dependable and great.

The military picking Tom Cruise’s character to be lead defense counsel is similar to The Company picking the Nostromo crew to investigate and control a deadly alien; both are incompetent for the mission and are supposed to fail.

When you guys first announced this reaction early in the week, I knew you'd love this one! This is my kind of movie - packed with fantastic dialog. Thanks mainly to the outstanding acting performance of Jack Nicholson!

I’m pretty sure I can handle the truth sir...

Our senior year of high school we were going to do the stage production of this. We had the cast, a few weeks of rehearsals and we were ready to rock. Only for our principal to get cold feet and pulled the plug on the whole thing.

The amazing thing about it is that when they did the first table read of the script by the cast Jack Nicholson did his completely in character and completely blew everyone else out the water in the room and let them speechless

You see escape from LA

OKAYYYY, NOW THIS IS AN AWESOME MOVIE YOU GUYS!!! :) WAS NOMINATED FOR AN OSCAR BUT IT LOST, EVERYONE LOST TO ( CLINT EASTWOOD ) THAT YEAR, CLINT TOOK HOME 9 ACADEMY'S FOR HIS MASTERPIECE ( UNFORGIVEN ) THAT YEAR! :) GREAT MOVIE THIS WAS AND IS, ALWAYS LOVE YOUR WORK YOU TWO!

"You can't handle the truth" was from an old Mel Brooks, as the Thousand Year Old Man, being interviewed on radio by Carl Reiner (the director Rob Reiner's dad) comedy routine.

Gitmo is an interesting place. There is a massive minefield, razor fencing and heavily armed bunkers separating the base from the rest of the island, and a couple of hundred Cubans commute to work on the base every day. They work in the base's civilian businesses - there is a fancy and mid-tier restaurant along with some fast food places, a NEX shopping center, movie theater and the like. They were really nice. (edit: the Cubans were really nice)

Great choice. I'd also like to recommend The Caine Mutiny. It's a classic military courtroom drama and very much like a few good men

Super excited for this reaction!!! Thank you two for the content. (:

"Anatomy of a Murder" from 1959 with James Stewart and George C. Scott is another great great courtroom drama.

Fun fact: the doctor they questioned is Christopher Guest, he played the six-fingered man in Princess Bride, and is married to Jamie Lee Curtis; he's also in This Is Spinal Tap, the hilarious rock mockumentary also by Reiner. It's shocking how different he looks in every movie. Oh! also, please consider checking out Stand By Me - it's another Rob Reiner, another Stephen King story, and it's absolutely a fantastic coming-of-age story with some familiar faces (including one from this movie...)

Kendrik: "He is dead because he had no honor." TBR: "Ooookay." Hahaha.

Another great courtroom drama, with Richard Gere and Edward Norton's first role, that nobody reacts to is *Primal Fear.*

A Few Good Men is one of the best courtroom dramas ever. The back and forth is so good and intriguing.

Love, love, love this movie!! Such great filmmaking across the board, from scriptwriting, directing to editing and music. Also, this was the first movie for Dawson (Wolfgang Bodison), who was originally Reiner’s personal assistant!

Good movie. I can quote this whole thing. I love Tom Cruise's attempt at impersonating Jack Nicholson, and how Kevin Pollack has a little bit of his William Shatner impersonation come out when he say "because he couldn't run fast!" :D

I've always loved this movie and actually saw it in the theater as a kid which is weird because it was a legal drama but I was completely engrossed and has stuck with me all these years later. Great performances by everyone and a lot of great twists. Thanks for reacting to this.

They're all military because that's what a Court Martial is. :) For another courtroom drama with a military bent (and another all-star cast) I recommend Courage Under Fire (Meg Ryan, Denzel Washington, Matt Damon, and others).

Fun fact: at the beginning of the movie when Demi morre is asking to work the case, the actor that played Captain West (behind the desk) is the same actor that Ended up playing Adm AJ Checkwiden from the TV show JAG which came out following this movie

Don't forget "Spinal Tap" Rob Reiner!

One of my *_Top 5 All-Time Favourite Movies of All Time!_* Thank you _so_ much for reacting to this underrated, often ignored gem! 🙏🏻🥰❤️

Cool fact: the guy who played Lance Cpl Dawson was actually the location scout for the movie and Reiner saw him and said "that guy looks like a Marine". So Reiner asked him to read for the part of Dawson and he ended up taking acting lessons for the part.

I love this movie, and it is the greatest tragedy that in real life that winning gambit would not have worked. Like, at all. Yelling at a full-bird Colonel *after* being scolded by the judge is not a good idea.

You two are definitely my favorite reaction channel to watch 🙂 👍🏻

TBR Schmitt , If you liked, A Few Good men, you will absolutely love the 1954 classic war drama, The Caine Mutiny. It's the best acting performances by the great Humphry Bogart, Jose Ferrer, Fred MacMurray and Van Johnson, whom were all well respected actors in their day.

@TBR Schmitt a real good movie to react to. Also to interact with you in the charity stream last night was incredible, I enjoyed the time so so much, I was honestly star struck lol. Great job!!!

29:40 Someone already mentioned Cruise's Jack impression was ad-libbed hence the real laugh response, but on top of that, Kevin Pollak is a master impressionist, so obviously he does a way better Jack Nicholson, William Shatner, Christopher Lloyd, Christopher Walken, etc. So with that in mind, look at his reaction to Tom's impression again. He looks to Demi Moore for her reaction.

12 Angry Men (1957)

In that movie, The name "Santiago" is said well over 100 times.

I was stationed at Marine Barracks in Washington DC when they filmed this. They used some of our guys as extras for the softball team. I remember that Tom posed for team pictures, like the old little league pics on bleachers, with him right in the center

You should check out G.I. Jane. Demi Moore rocks in that movie.