The General's Daughter (1999) Review Notes

Overview

• Film Title: The General's Daughter
• Release Year: 1999
• Director: Simon West
  • Known for: Con Air, Tomb Raider
• Starring:
  • John Travolta as Chief Warrant Officer
  • Madeline Stowe as Investigator
  • James Cromwell as the General
  • James Woods as Colonel
  • Timothy Hutton and Clarence Williams III in supporting roles.

General Impressions

• Enjoyable thriller with good production quality
• Military setting enhances the film's credibility
• Based on a novel not read by the reviewer
• Not considered a bad film despite critical reception

Main Plot

• A woman is found dead on a military base; she is the General's daughter.
• The film follows the investigation led by Travolta's character and Stowe's investigator.

Cast Performance

• John Travolta:

  • Engaging performance with a southern accent
  • Plays an investigator working with the military
  • Frequently entertaining and over-the-top moments

• Madeline Stowe:

  • Plays a fellow investigator
  • Performance is fine; some dialogue and banter with Travolta works well
  • Could have been written out of the film without major changes to the plot

• James Woods:

  • Strong performance as a suspect with a personal connection to the victim
  • Best scenes are with Travolta, wished for more screen time

Key Themes and Elements

• Military Issues:

  • The film addresses serious issues of women in the military
  • Not every male character is portrayed as evil
  • Effective handling of sensitive subjects compared to other films

• Action Scenes:

  • Incorporates action sequences which fit the thriller genre
  • Highlights include Travolta’s character in a fight scene at home

Dialogue and Humor

• The dialogue contains entertaining banter, especially between Travolta and Woods
• Some memorable lines contribute to the film’s appeal

Plot Developments and Spoilers

• The General's daughter had previously been raped, leading to family betrayal
• The story reveals high-level cover-ups within the military
• Final confrontation reveals Timothy Hutton as the murderer, leading to suicide

Ending and Editing Issues

• The ending includes confusing sequences with character follow-ups
• Mixed feelings about the editing and the last scenes featuring Stowe

Final Thoughts

• Overall, the film maintains engagement throughout its runtime
• Production quality and cast performances elevate the material
• Considered one of Simon West’s better works alongside Con Air and Tomb Raider.