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Created Nov 15, 2009 09:09AM PST • Edited Nov 15, 2009 09:09AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Very Good 3.5

   Gardens distinguishes itself by delivering a no-nonsense view of Vietnam from the eyes of soldiers dealing with the situation back home. On the surface, the outcomes are predictable, but the journey that this film takes you on was not. Instead, this film produces world class drama and a unique perspective delivered by best-in-class acting talent James Earl Jones and James Caan

4. Acting

   Great 4.0

   James Earl Jones and James Caan make quite the pair, and are a good fit for showing that military camaraderie and that special brand of humor appreciated only by those who have been in. Angelica Huston shines as always, and the rest of the cast puts in an admirable show, notably Mary Stuart Masterson and DB Sweeny as a young in-love couple.

5. Male Stars Great 4.0

6. Female Stars Great 4.0

7. Female Costars Great 4.0

8. Male Costars Great 4.0

10. Film

    Very Good 3.5

    You can tell Coppola had something to do with this movie. For coming at Vietnam from the complete opposite end of the spectrum as Apocalypse Now, it nevertheless manages to impact almost as much.

11. Direction Very Good 3.5

12. Play Very Good 3.5

13. Music Very Good 3.5

14. Visuals Very Good 3.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Tame 1.5

17. Sex Innocent 1.5

18. Violence Gentle 1.5

19. Rudeness Polite 1.5

21. Reality

    Glib 1.2

22. Circumstantial Glib 1.2

23. Biological Glib 1.2

24. Physical Glib 1.2