Watch Streamers

Streamers, directed by Robert Altman, is a powerful and intense drama about a group of young soldiers undergoing basic training before being deployed to fight in the Vietnam War. The movie takes place entirely in a barracks, as the characters try to navigate their way through this intense experience and deal with the psychological and emotional impact of their impending deployment.

The film follows the lives of four soldiers: Billy, Richie, Roger, and Carlyle. Each of them has their own story to tell, and their individual backgrounds and personalities make for a compelling study of humanity. Billy (Matthew Modine) is the one who seems to have it all figured out. He's intelligent, confident, and a natural leader. Richie (Michael Wright) is the rebel, the one who never follows the rules and always seems to be in trouble. Roger (Mitchell Lichtenstein) is the quiet, introspective character, struggling to come to terms with his homosexuality in a world that doesn't accept him. Carlyle (David Alan Grier) is the only Black person in the group, and he has to deal with the institutionalized racism and discrimination that runs rampant in the military.

As the movie progresses, tensions rise among the soldiers, and conflicts simmer just below the surface. Altman uses the setting of the barracks to great effect, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere that reflects the characters' sense of confinement and isolation. The camera moves fluidly around the building, capturing the soldiers in moments of vulnerability and intensity. The dialogue crackles with authenticity and energy, as the characters struggle to express their fears, desires, and anxieties.

One of the most impressive aspects of Streamers is the way in which it explores the complex relationships between the soldiers, highlighting the many ways in which they rely on each other for support and validation. Billy, for instance, is the one who holds the group together, taking charge and keeping the others focused. Richie, despite his rebellious nature, looks up to Billy and sees him as a mentor. Roger and Carlyle, meanwhile, find solace in each other's company, forming a deep connection that transcends the barriers of race and sexuality.

Throughout the movie, Altman also explores the ways in which the military system dehumanizes its soldiers, treating them as little more than cogs in a machine. This is especially evident in the way the characters are stripped of their individuality and identities, forced to wear identical clothes and undergo the same rigorous training. The barracks becomes a kind of purgatory, a space in which the soldiers are trapped and unable to escape. Altman's direction emphasizes this sense of entrapment, creating a sense of suffocating tension that permeates every scene.

While Streamers is a deeply serious and emotionally challenging movie, there are moments of humor and levity as well. Altman's direction is nuanced and sensitive, capturing the many contradictions and complexities of the human experience. The movie never feels preachy or didactic, but rather allows its characters to speak for themselves and explore their own journeys in their own ways.

In conclusion, Streamers is a tour-de-force of filmmaking, a masterful exploration of the psychological and emotional impact of military life. Altman's direction is impeccable, and the performances from the cast are outstanding. This is not an easy movie to watch, but it is an essential one, a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fight for their country.

Streamers is a 1983 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.