Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson are the most beloved couple in contemporary Hollywood. Occasions when they played couple on screen are, however, rare, and even are rarer are those in which both were actual stars. One such example, which, incidentally, led to start of their relationship and subsequent marriage, is Volunteers, 1985 period comedy directed by Nicholas Meyer.
Plot is set in 1962. Protagonist, played by Hanks, is Lawrence Bourne III, spoiled, arrogant and irresponsible descendant of a rich and influential family. Although he has just graduated from Yale, gambling debts and his father (played by George Plimpton) refusing to bail him out forced him to run for his life. As a desperate measure, Lawrence convinces his room mate and US Peace Corps volunteer Kent (played by Xander Berkeley) to temporarily switch identities, which gets him plane ticket to Thailand. When he arrives there, Lawrence finds that his father won’t allow him to return and that he will actually have to join small Peace Corps team building the bridge in remote jungle village. Unlike idealistic engineer Tom Tuttle (played by John Candy) who takes his job seriously, Lawrence tries to make the best out of situation and develops all kinds of money-making schemes with the help of At Tun (played by Gedde Watanabe), the only village native who speaks English. All this infuriates third part of team, beautiful young woman Beth Wexler (played by Wilson) who constantly rejects his romantic advances. Lawrence, however, soon learns that the bridge might be part of a complicated strategic game that involves renegade Chinese drug lords, CIA “advisors” and Communist guerillas.
Volunteers is one of the more obscure films in Hanks’ filmography, which could be best explained by its cynical approach towards historical period that many in 1980s Hollywood usually viewed with great deal of nostalgia. The early 1960s, time when America led by young and charismatic JFK (whose character briefly appears in the film), when people believed in bright future and when US missions in Southeast Asia looked like romantic adventure, are confronted with main character who cares little about anything that doesn’t bring him sex or money. Many comedies with such anti-heroic protagonists would fail but Hanks, then at the peak of his comedic abilities, delivers great performance (especially when delivering lines in nowadays rare Mid-Atlantic accent) and makes the audience actually cheer for the charming rogue. His performance is, unsurprisingly, helped by Wilson with whom he has great chemistry. Another great asset of the film Japanese American actor Gedde Watanabe who brings a lot of humour, skilfully avoiding too much of Asian stereotypes. John Candy, on the other hand, is wasted in the role of poorly written character. Relatively unknown Thom Thommerson is great in the role of insane CIA agent, although that character is also underused.
Nicholas Meyer, director best known for his Star Trek work, shows great skill, putting Mexican locations (that stand for Thailand) to good use. Although quality of humour varies, and significantly decreases towards somewhat confusing finale, cinephiles would probably appreciate many references to Indiana Jones films or classics like Casablanca or The Bridge on the River Kwai. Critics weren’t too keen on film, though, and one scene that irked them the most had featured what many saw as shameless product placement for Coca Cola, which probably wasn’t sitting well during the months of New Coke fiasco. Good acting, skilful direction and adequate musical score by James Horner, on the other hand, would probably allow most of today’s audience to enjoy this film and it could be recommended even to those who aren’t amongst Hanks’ greatest fans.
RATING: 6/10 (++)
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