Is A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1998)

📖 The Core Premise

A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries stands as a 1998 entry that attempts to leave its mark on the Drama landscape. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "This fictionalized story, based on the family life of writer James Jones, is an emotional slice-of-life story. Jones is portrayed here as Bill Willis, a former war hero turned author who combats alcoholism and is starting to experience health problems. Living in France with his wife, daughter, and an adopted son, the family travels an unconventional road which casts them as outsiders to others. Preaching a sexual freedom, his daughter's sexual discovery begins at an early age and betrays her when the family moves to Hanover in America. Her overt sexuality clashes with the values of her teenage American peers and gives her a problematic reputation. Meanwhile, her brooding brother copes with his own interior pain regarding his past, only comfortable communicating within the domestic space."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. While not a career-best, Kris Kristofferson's presence adds a necessary stability to the proceedings. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Drama. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries worth your time? If you appreciate Drama films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities. With a runtime of 127 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.