The Greatest Beer Run Ever
Chickie wants to support his friends fighting in Vietnam, so he does something wild—personally bring them American beer. What starts as a well-meaning journey quickly changes Chickie’s life and perspective. Based on a true story.
- Released:
- Runtime: 120 minutes
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, War
- Stars: Zac Efron, Russell Crowe, Bill Murray, Kyle Allen, Jake Picking, Will Ropp, Archie Renaux, Ruby Ashbourne Serkis, Will Hochman, Christopher Reed Brown, Joe Adler, MacGregor Arney, Hal Cumpston, Kristin Carey, Paul Adelstein, Matt Cook, Shirleyann Kaladjian, Kevin Tran
- Director: Peter Farrelly
Comments
- bacrites - 28 April 2024
Better than I thought it would be
I probably would not have watched this based on the premise alone, however my wife put it on and we gave it a try. It turned out to be much better than I expected. Although a little long, the movie reaches a good clip once the lead character makes it to Vietnam. The action scenes are done well, and the acting was good. I guess I was expecting (based on the trailers and from the movie poster) it to be more along the lines of a campy comedy, and although the movie is about a beer run, and there are some very funny parts, it has a serious undertone and a good message. The movie does a fantastic job of trying to tell both sides of the our domestic moral dilema surrounding the Vietnam war. - NS-movie-reviews - 22 October 2023
A very interesting story
If this wasn't based on a true story, no one could've come up with it. It is so obscure and should be so impossible that if someone had even attempted to imagine this plot up, it would be disregarded as far too unbelievable.
But, alas, it was real. And Chickie Donohue was real. And man, was this story worth telling!
I really enjoyed the acting and storytelling that took place in this movie. The chaotic humor and nature of Chickie is endearing and enough to keep a heavy subject light enough that you can watch it without getting too mentally or emotionally bogged down. But, it doesn't omit the reality of the situation that was the Vietnam war. It walks a good balance.
Zac Efron also does a really good job, in my opinion. He portrays the oblivious moments perfectly, the emotional moments with care, and everything in between is believable. Russell Crowe also does a superb job in his role. I loved their scenes together.
The main thing working against this movie for me was that it was a little too long for the subject at hand. It could've been about 20-25 minutes shorter by shaving some things out that felt like they drug things out. Even though I liked it, it lost my attention a couple of times. If you give this a 1 hr 40 minute run time instead of 2 hr 10 minutes, I think it feels more succinct and polished.
Well worth the watch and I would encourage almost anyone to check it out! - Reelty - 2 May 2023
Fascinating story about a bizarre time
Based on an incredible true story of a young man from New York who decided to travel to Vietnam to literally give a beer to all the boys from his neighbourhood who were fighting over there. As a symbolic gesture of appreciation since there was so much anti-war sentiment on the news and in the streets at the time.
Zac Efron is great as the lead. He pulls off a terrific portrayal of a well intentioned and determined, but not entirely bright, New Yorker. While the movie is listed as an "action drama" it actually has a lot of comedic moments. Most of which are derived from what a ridiculous idea it was, for a civilian to just stroll in to active war zones with a duffle-bag full of beer. Aside from said duffle-bag seeming to be able to hold way more beer than he'd believably be able to carry, I really don't have any complaints about this film. The directing, writing, supporting cast and filming locations are all top notch and the movie really manages to show as many perspectives as possible during that confusing and bloody conflict.
I also recommend checking out the bonus features on Apple+. They have an interview with the real life Chickie Donohue that I found fascinating. - deloudelouvain - 15 November 2022
Entertaining but surely over dramatized.
Another movie based on true events, normally the thing I like, but I really have my doubts 90% of this story really happened. I don't mind a bit of dramatizing but in this case I just watched the movie doubting anything of this story really happened. I'm sure Chikie Donohue went to Vietnam, probably on a dare, but that's about it. Zac Efron did a good job playing the dumb Chikie, dumb is only an understatement in his case. He was quite an annoying character to watch to be honest but the movie is entertaining nonetheless. Good cinematography, good actors even though it's mostly about Zac Efron. Russell Crowe just has a minor part in the story. The moral of the story is that war is pointless, certainly the Vietnam war, and people like Chikie Donohue with an IQ of a mollusk are the ones you can easily fool with propaganda. Like Vietnam was going to invade the USA with their communism... really? Anyone dumb enough to believe such lies? Brainwashed people I guess, tons of those in the USA. - youngmanrunning-31880 - 18 October 2022
Netflix take notice, this is how you make a movie
I can't count how many sub par movies I've watched on Netflix always feeling disappointed. Apple+ hit a home run with this movie. I certainly would have paid to see this movie in the theatre. Where as Nerflix movies feel like a rental B movie at Blockbuster. This movie surpassed my expectations considering the title. Movie had heart, history, drama, and the brutality of war. Peter Farley directed this movie, yes the dude from Dumb and Dumber. Well done sir, we'll done Apple+. The story takes place during the Vietnam war in the 1960s. Apparently it is a true story. I find most people who write reviews are either people who were pleasantly surprised (like me), or people who are massively disappointed and irritated they spent 2 hours of their lives. Really happy I spent 2 hours if my life to watch this. - hilaryjrp - 9 October 2022
A Movie that Made a "Generation Jones" Rethink the War
I'll say this is the best film about the Viet Nam war I have ever seen. I detested "love children" like Chickie's sister and other anti-war protesters in 1967. I was nine and agreed with Bill Murray's (excellent) character about sending our boys the wrong message.
Films that preach never changed my opinion. "MASH" didn't; "Apocalypse Now" didn't. I always saw an agenda, not real concern. I saw politics, not the actual cause. But "The Greatest Beer Run Ever" succeeded fifty years on.
This film's genius lay in its picaresque comedy--interspersed with stomach-churning jokes about counting dead bodies while eating spaghetti in officers' clubs, or scorpions crawling up arms, or the great sound effects of flying bullets. More than anything else, the Vietnamese characters--bartender with the French accent, the man thrown out of the helicopter, and most of all, "Oklahoma"--
In later life, I got to know two Oklahomas who evacuated and spent their lives in my hometown. They always laughed but never recovered from the war and never stopped missing Vietnam. Watching this film, I didn't feel as if I had to be depressed or oppressed; I wasn't watching Walken in "Deerhunter." "The Greatest Beer Run Ever" was like my two Oklahomas; they were just normal guys--as normal as Chickie.
The best way to change minds isn't to make people feel guilty or obligated to agree the "conflict" was caused by Ugly Americans. The best way to change minds is to show, as Russell Crowe's freelancer says, "War is mass murder."
This film, through its restraint and humor, showed that truth better than any "deep" film and changed my fifty-year-old resentment. The dead bodies here, mixed with beer and jokes, made me want to vomit.
I finished it and immediately started watching again. Zac Efron, *great* job. Great cast all around. Bravo.
