Catch-22

Authors: Matt
Location: Illinois

"Catch-22”

Directed By: Oliver Stone
Adapted Screenplay By: Robert Rodat
Produced By: Steven Spielberg and Michael Bay

Principal Cast:

Josh Hartnett as Yossarian
Adrien Brody as Milo Minderbinder
Jesse Bradford as Nately
Ryan Philippe as Clevinger
Heath Ledger as Dunbar
Francesca Neri as Nately' Whore
Penelope Cruz as Luciana
Natalie Portman as Nurse Duckett
Jake Gyllenhaal as Snowden
Haley Joel Osment as Hupple
Dustin Hoffman as Doc Daneeka
Kiefer Sutherland as Major Major Major Major
Michael Douglas as Major Danby
Gary Sinese as Colonel Cathcart
Michael Keaton as Lieutenant Colonel Korn
Tom Hanks as The Chaplain

Tagline: "Yossarian claimed to be insane, in order to escape the war. However, it was written somewhere that any man who was smart enough to claim insanity, to get away from the fighting, was clearly sane. In war, there's always a catch"

Memorable Quote: "That's some catch, that Catch-22. It's the best there is" - Doc Daneeka

Synopsis: During the second half of World War II, a soldier named Yossarian is stationed with his Air Force squadron on the island of Pianosa , in the Mediterranean Sea . Yossarian and his pilot friends endure an absurd existence, defined by bureaucracy and violence. They are seen as inhuman resources by their superior officers, like Colonel Cathcart and Korn. Throughout the war, the men are thrown into brutal combat situations and bombing runs, in which many of them are killed. Plus, it becomes more important for the squadron members to capture good aerial photographs of explosions than to destroy their targets. Colonel Cathcart continues to raise the number of missions that Yossarian and his friends must complete in order to retire from the Air Force. Nobody, besides Yossarian, seems to understand that a war is going on. The Colonels don't care about their squadron, and the soldiers are occupied with other things, including prostitutes and the black market. Milo Minderbinder, forms a capitalist market that trades with various countries around the Mediterranean . Nately, another pilot, sparks a bond with a whore in Rome . Clevinger even argues with Yossarian over topics including loyalty, country, and duty. Yossarian becomes obsessed with escaping the violence, and begins to claim insanity. His superior officers are not easily swayed, and he is forced to remain in Pianosa. Day after day, the pilots encounter the death of various friends. For example, Yossarian is constantly haunted by a squadron member's death. The man, Snowden, died in Yossarian's arms in a mission over Avignon . Yossarian feels bad about the gruesome deaths that all of his friends have gone through, and he fears that death is inevitable. Eventually, Yossarian becomes so fed up with faking illness and asks advice from The Chaplain. He eventually decides to risk receiving a punishment and fleas to Sweden , leaving his superior officers, and the fighting and brutality of war behind.

What the press would say:

The best movie of the war genre ever made. Oliver Stone directs the film with such power, which makes the film even more of a success. He takes a stance, and does not shy away from the violence, sadness, and cruelty of war. Robert Rodat, the screenwriter of Saving Private Ryan, adapts Joseph Heller's Catch-22 with great accuracy. He understands what is important to the plot of the film, and what could be left out. Rodat included great conversations and large battle scenes into the screenplay, which is often satirical. The film showcases various elements of war, such as, the lives of soldiers and the role of an economy in the fighting. Catch-22 is an amazing look at war, in an age when war is more apparent than ever. It is very controversial, yet worth-watching for its influential directing, impressive screenplay, and the amazing performances from a male-dominated cast. The following actors and actresses give the best performances in Catch-22:

Josh Hartnett is perfect for the main role of Yossarian. After other solid performances in war films, like Pearl Harbor and Black Hawk Down, Hartnett takes his acting to the next level. He is superb. Hartnett perfectly balances his character's hate for war, but love for his friends. All in all, he plays the role of a paranoid lead bombardier to a tee.

Adrien Brody plays Milo Minderbinder, a fantastically powerful mess officer, who controls an international black market syndicate. The actor appears confident in the role, as he should, since his character rakes in profits and is a great cook. Brody gives his best performance since The Pianist, and he deserves another Oscar.

Dustin Hoffman returns to the big leagues and gives the best performance of his career. His character Doc Daneeka is responsible for some comedic lines, which Hoffman delivers flawlessly. Still, the actor allows the audience to feel sorry for his character, because the war has interrupted his lucrative, private, medical practice.

Tom Hanks becomes The Chaplain. He is delightful as the timid and thoughtful man, haunted by deja vu and constantly questioning his faith in God. The Chaplain is a role model for Yossarian, and after Tom's performance, he should be a role model to all of the other young actors in the film.

As Colonel Cathcart, Gary Sinese portrays an ambitious, yet unintelligent officer in charge of Yossarian's squadron. The character is usually scheming to move up in the ranks, in order to become a general. Gary Sinese is just right as the antagonist, and sinister Cathcart. Michael Keaton, as Sinese's side-kick, is also worth mentioning.

Jesse Bradford, after okay performances in Swimfan and Bring It On, graduates to a higher level of filmmaking. He gives his first outstanding performances as a good-natured boy, Nately, in Yossarian's squadron, who generally tries to keep his fellow soldiers out of trouble.

Francesca Neri, from Hannibal, is the best Italian actress out there. She is captivating as Nately's whore. Neri shows her skill in that she plays a loving, yet strong woman. For example, once she is informed that Nately had been killed on a mission, she seeks revenge. However, the only person she can blame is Yossarian, for he was the bearer of bad news.

Penelope Cruz is astounding as Luciana, a beautiful woman Yossarian sleeps with in Rome. Yossarian falls in love and asks the woman to marry him. Unfortunately, she thinks he is crazy, and will not commit to a relationship with him. This is ironic, in that the officers will not believe that Yossarian is insane.

Jake Gyllenhaal does what he can with a small role. He plays Snowden, an Air Force bombardier who dies in Yossarian's arms over Avignon. Snowden's demise is gradually revealed through the course of the film. Gyllenhaal's scenes end up being some of the most powerful in Catch-22.

Possible Academy Award Nominations

Best Picture
Best Director: Oliver Stone
Best Adapted Screenplay: Robert Rodat
Best Cinematography
Best Make-up
Best Art Direction
Best Sound
Best Actor: Josh Hartnett
Best Supporting Actor: Gary Sinese
Best Supporting Actor: Tom Hanks
Best Supporting Actor: Adrien Brody
Best Supporting Actress: Francesca Neri
Best Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz