Debapriya Bhattacharya
The idea of America has inspired many deliberations across the ages. The land of the free and home of the brave has been a melting pot of people and culture from all over the globe. The New World symbolized hope for the future. Since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the US has stood for many things, but it has stayed true to that core. Over the last century, movies have been instrumental in driving the same idea home. So, to celebrate the birth of a nation, here are several movies streaming on Netflix that will make you feel wrapped up in red, white, and blue.
9. Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood (2022)
Director Richard Linklater took inspiration from his own childhood while creating ‘Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood,’ a coming-of-age animated film that centers around a fictional version of the 1969 moon landing. Growing up near the NASA command center in Houston, Texas, young Stanley (Milo Coy) dreams of traveling the galaxies. Like the other children of his age, he grows up watching the events of the space race unfold on television. However, as an adult (Jack Black), Stanley becomes the first man to land on the moon. Vibrant and full of heart, ‘Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood’ tells the story of an America where dreams really come true. Watch the film here.
8. Da 5 Bloods (2020)
Helmed by Spike Lee, ‘Da 5 Bloods’ tells the story of a group of US soldiers in Vietnam who get tasked with securing a CIA airplane crash site and recovering a cargo containing gold bars. Originally intended for payment to the Lahu people for their help to fight the Vietnamese Congress, the group decides to keep it for themselves and bury it in a secure location for them to retrieve later. However, a napalm strike obliterates the identifying landmarks, and they are unable to take the gold home. Decades later, after hearing the news that a landslide had made the tail of the plane visible, the veterans return to the country for another shot at the treasure. The war drama explores a different side of a critical juncture in the country’s history. You can check it out here.
7. Worth (2020)
‘Worth’ by Sara Colangelo is set in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in 2001. Reputable mediator Kenneth Feinberg (Michael Keaton) is appointed by Congress to lead the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. The task forces Feinberg and his firm’s head of operations, Camille Biros (Amy Ryan), to essentially determine the worth of human lives as they allocate financial compensation to the families of the victims. As Kenneth develops a rigid formula to determine the compensation based on the victims’ incomes, he faces pushback from people, including Charles Wolf (Stanley Tucci), a community organizer mourning the death of his wife. The film highlights the diversity of the people who were affected by the tragedy and is a heartrending watch. Catch it on Netflix.
6. Purple Hearts (2022)
Based on Tess Wakefield’s eponymous novel, Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum’s ‘Purple Hearts’ revolves around Cassie Salazar (Sofia Carson), a struggling singer-songwriter working in a bar in California, and Luke Morrow (Nicholas Galitzine), a former addict-turned-marine who meets her right ahead of his deployment to Iraq. Both of them struggle financially, Cassie to afford insulin for her diabetes, and Luke to pay back his debts to his ex-dealer. They marry each other to get benefits from the army that would ease both their situations. However, over time, they develop real feelings, especially during the hard times. Watch the romantic drama here.
5. London Has Fallen (2016)
The second installment of the ‘Has Fallen’ series, ‘London Has Fallen’ by Babak Najafi stars Gerard Butler as Secret Service agent Mike Banning, head of security for US President Benjamin Asher (Aaron Eckhart). Following the death of the British Prime Minister, major world leaders, including Benjamin, converge upon London to pay their respects. The opportunity is taken up by terrorists to target the city, leaving the city as well as the global political landscape in chaos and ruins. As Benjamin gets abducted in the ensuing mayhem, it falls upon Banner to bring the POTUS back home safe. The political action thriller can be seen here.
4. U-571 (2000)
Set during World War II, ‘U-571’ by Jonathan Mostow revolves around an eponymous German submarine that breaks down and awaits assistance in the middle of the ocean. Taking advantage of the situation, the US Navy disguises one of their submarines as a Nazi vessel and approaches U-571. Their objective is to infiltrate the U-boat and steal the Enigma, the sophisticated encryption device on board. As they try to leave, the arrival of a real German relief submarine makes the situation worse. The American submarine is torpedoed, and the surviving crew boards U-571 to attempt a daring escape. Catch the tense war thriller on Netflix.
3. Too Young the Hero (1988)
‘Too Young the Hero’ by Buzz Kulik tells the real-life story of Calvin Graham (Ricky Schroder), a 12-year-old boy who takes advantage of looking older than his age and forges his mother’s signature to join the Navy during World War II. He completes basic training and is assigned to the USS South Dakota (BB-57). His bravery in the war makes the Captain recommend him for two Purple Hearts. However, when he fails to report back in time after attending his grandmother’s funeral, Calvin is arrested for desertion as officials refuse to believe he is underage. You can watch the young hero’s journey here.
2. Black Hawk Down (2002)
Helmed by Ridley Scott, ‘Black Hawk Down’ is set in 1993, when the US, under President Bill Clinton, sends special forces into Somalia to destabilize the local military government and provide food and humanitarian aid to the starving population. Black Hawk helicopters are used to deploy 160 soldiers on the ground. However, tragedy strikes as a surprise attack by the Somalians brings down two aircraft, forcing the troops into an on-ground battle with the heavily armed militia. A testament to one of the gritty chapters of history for the U.S. Armed Forces, watch ‘Black Hawk Down’ here.
1. Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
Based on the eponymous autobiography of former Marine Corps sergeant and anti-war activist Ron Kovic, ‘Born on the Fourth of July’ stars Tom Cruise as Ron, a suburban New York teenager who enlists in the Marines in the mid-1960s with a fervor of patriotism. In his second tour during the Vietnam War, Ron accidentally kills a fellow soldier during a retreat. While he reports the incident, his superiors do nothing about the fact. Later, he is grievously injured in a firefight and becomes permanently paralyzed. Haunted by his experiences, Ron returns home to an apathetic Veterans Administration bureaucracy and political system. As a result, he becomes an impassioned critic of war and a champion of human rights. Watch Ron Kovic’s incredible journey here.
Read More: Where is Ron Kovic Now? Update on the Vietnam War Veteran
