John ‘Chickie’ Donohue drinks beers at his local bar in 1967 Inwood, New York. He is a merchant marine who lives with his parents during his breaks. Chickie’s sister, Christine, often visits from college and loves to give Chickie a hard time like their dad. Chickie and Christine get into a fight about the war. He and their parents believe the soldiers are heroes protecting the country from communism. However, Christine believes President LBJ is lying to the American people. Later, Chickie learns one friend died and attends his funeral. He sees Christine at a protest after the wake, and Chickie is livid because 8 of the neighborhood guys are still there. At the bar, the owner, Colonel, says he wishes he could give the Inwood guys in Vietnam a beer to show his support and lift their spirits. Chickie declares he will do it. Colonel gives Chickie a bag from the bar and fills it with beers. Over the next few days, people from the neighborhood give Chickie keepsakes to give to their soldiers. Tommy’s mom gives Chickie a cross. She knows Tommy is M.I.A. but believes the military will find him alive. Chickie goes to the docks and discovers the next ship is leaving for Vietnam in 3 hours, and they need one more oiler. He grabs his bag of beers and heads to the war. He will learn about the media, politics, and the cost of war.Based on The Greatest Beer Run Ever: A Memoir of Friendship, Loyalty, and War by John ‘Chick’ Donohue and J.T. Molloy, this movie is a comedic look at a dark moment in American history (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). Each time Chickie runs into a friend, they look at him with disbelief and disgust. They see him treat this reunion as a fun get-together, but they are in a warzone. They see his presents as stupid and disrespectful. They laugh and help Chickie along the way when he tells his growing beer run story. Chickie runs into dumb luck, but he knows it will come at a cost. Reporters challenge Chickie’s ideals when he sticks up for the president. After a few nights in the trenches, his faith in the war wavers. But his love of the troops remains strong. While the movie makes you laugh, it takes war seriously. Also, The writers gave war correspondents their due. If you have PTSD, some moments could be triggering. This beer run is epic, no matter how you feel about the Vietnam war.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
How do you know that – Christine
I don’t have a short fuse. You just don’t know when you lit it – Colonel
One more time for Jesus – Arthur
I’ll stay awake when I’m dead – Chickie
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