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After seven years in the navy, including the present assignment with the NATO peacekeeping forces
in Bosnia during the peace talks, Lt. Chris Burnett (Owen Wilson) is ready to give up. Nothing seems to be happening for him. His letter of resignation disappoints his
superior, Admiral Tiegart (Gene Hackman) who senses his impatience but sees his potential. Before his leave could take effect, navigator Burnett and his buddy and co-pilot
Stackhouse (Gabriel Macht) are surprised to find themselves picked for a mission on Christmas day: to fly into Serbian territory to take photo evidence of suspected mass
gravesites. Going off course, they spot these sites. The obvious intention of the low-flying plane-maneuvers sends the Serbs for their high-powered artillery, and the plane is
shot down. In the first ground encounter, Stack is shot dead. Burnett, alone, is now on the run trailed and stalked by the best of the Serbian trackers, followed by the enemy
troops. Monitoring his trail and movements—the near-misses of his being found and killed—on the highly technical electronic equipment, Admiral Tiegart tries to help him. What
can Burnett do to help himself survive? What does it take to save a buddy and fellow-NATO-peacekeeper from behind enemy lines?
Gene Hackman is a natural as Admiral Tiegart, though he has a limited but significant role. Owen
Wilson as the main lead, has practically the whole movie to himself. He does an exceptional performance as the man down behind enemy lines. While strategies are being
charted through radar tracking and electronic communication with Burnett, Tiegart has to plan the navigator's escape, even as he goes against advice, and orders from higher
ups. Even as Burnett struggles to survive, Tiegart entangles with higher-ups to get permission for his men to save their buddy. Meanwhile Burnett is dangerously dodging
bullets, tiptoeing over landmines and hiding from his pursuers.
There is a lot of bombing, shooting, and close-range acts of killing. However, the visuals of
their viciousness and bloodiness are mostly not prolonged. The ideas presented here deal with the following points. One is, whether it is all right to knowingly let a man die
in order to prevent the possible death of thousands? Two, is the willingness of a superior to go on the line to stand behind his men, even knowing this might end his
illustrious navy career. In this context Behind Enemy Lines may be patronized by viewers 14 and above.
(Date reviewed: January 18, 2002)
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