Stripes

Stripes is an idiosyncratic, unabashedly comedic journey through the harrowing military traditions of the United States, directed by Ivan Reitman. Released in 1981 and starring an assemblage of reliable comedic giants such as Bill Murray, the late John Candy, and Harold Ramis, the screwball comedy endures as a staple alongside other 80s cult classics.

Bill Murray's character, John Winger, is an everyday New Yorker who loses everything, his job, his car, his apartment, and his girlfriend, all in one day. In a clear lack of direction or any semblance of a life plan, he convinces his best friend, Russell Ziskey, played by Harold Ramis, to join the Army with him. The decision is spontaneous, thoughtless, and unmistakably in character for Winger.

The subsequent plot follows their hilarious mishaps and adventures, which are both against the odds and against the rules. Winger and Ziskey form an eclectic unit of misfits, embarking on an outrageous journey through basic training and beyond. Stripes is not merely a two-hour display of humor, it is also a celebration of individualism in the face of conformity and rigidity.

John Candy shines as Dewey Oxberger, a lovable, overweight recruit who reveals a nuanced, poignant side of him, presenting the refreshing message that friendship bonds trump militant hierarchy. He quickly becomes an integral part of their close-knit, comedic troupe. Other members of their unconventional squad include characters portrayed by a host of recognizable names such as Judge Reinhold, John Diehl, and Conrad Dunn, each providing their unique flavor of humor and wit.

A mix of verbal humor, slapstick, and strong performances characterizes this early 80s' gem. Stripes offers comedy escapism at its best, blended with a healthy dose of satire poking fun at American militarism. It is set against a backdrop of military life that is regulated by rigid rules and protocols turned upside down by our band of unlikely soldiers. Stripes is less about the showdown with an exterior enemy and more about the internal struggles, conflict, camaraderie, humour and humanity that exist within the military system.

Bill Murray is at his best playing an underdog anti-hero, giving Winger the cheerful, witty, and nonchalant streak that is quintessential to his acting persona. Harold Ramis delivers a smooth performance, perfectly complementing Murray's eccentricity with his more grounded character. Their undeniable chemistry threads through the film, cementing them as one of the quintessential 80s comedy duos.

Ivan Reitman's direction underscores the chaos and fun inherent in the premise, while Elmer Bernstein's music scores enhance the narrative’s comedic underpinnings. Moreover, the cinematography captures the realistic nature of a military training camp, juxtaposed with ludicrous situations which enhance the comedy. The screenwriters, real-life military veterans Len Blum, Daniel Goldberg, and Harold Ramis, infuse the script with details from their own experiences in the armed services, lending an authenticity to the film's depiction of military life that heightens its humor.

Certainly, Stripes is not a film that takes itself seriously, and that’s part of its charm. It resists the temptation to be moralistic or overly patriotic, focusing instead on capturing the absurdity and comedies of ordinary life, transplanted into the anomalous setting of the U.S. Army. Stripes provides a comedic perspective of the mundanity of enlisted life, the universal human need for camaraderie, and the unlikeliest of friendships formed, making a satirical commentary on the army's conformity, hierarchy, and discipline. It takes all the sense and purpose that tends to accompany military films and deliberately throws them off-kilter, setting up an endless array of laugh-out-loud moments delivered by an all-star comedic cast.

In essence, Stripes is an affectionate, entertaining tribute to the little guy, the imperfect, the eccentric, and all those who march by the beat of a different drum. It's humorous, light-hearted, iconic, undeniably quotable and its timeless story of camaraderie and individualism still shines. This is one of those feel-good, quotable films that remain as memorable and enjoyable as they did at the moment of their release, and for fans of Bill Murray, it is an absolute must-watch.