The Robert Downey Jr Film Guide
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The Robert Downey Jr Film Guide |
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Air America (1990) |
Summary |
Two pilots in Laos discover that the US government is doing shady things during the Vietnam War, with action-packed mildly comedic results. |
Direction |
Roger Spottiswoode |
Downey Factor |
Mid-High. Mel Gibson is the star. |
Role |
Billy Covington, a pilot |
Looks |
Rather average, but not bad at any point. |
Performance |
Also not bad, but not memorable. |
Dies, Gay or Villain |
No, No, No. |
Other Actors |
Mel Gibson, Nancy Travis |
Connection |
Nancy Travis in Chaplin. Mel Gibson in The Singing Detective. |
RDJ Says |
I did Air America for two reasons: to be in a movie with Mel Gibson and to make a bunch of money. And then underneath there was the hope that in doing this formulaic thing I would be launched into a whole new realm of opportunity to do A-list movies. By the time we were done, the only positive thing was meeting Mel Gibson ... Good intentions, sad result ... The lesson was that sketchy movies result in nightmares ... Billy's a real kick-ass guy. But his belief structure takes a beating when he's suddenly thrust into this new environment, where, any minute, 90 unfriendlies could come ripping out of the jungle with his name on their lug nuts. So he takes radical action ... It was a tossup whether to go see Diane Schuur at the Pantages, or go to the opening of Air America. I knew [Schuur] was only going to be there for two nights, but I thought, "Hey, that could happen with the movie, too." ... Billy is someone whose whole life perspective changes when he gets to the Orient. Not only does he have to deal with an entirely different culture, he has to prove himself to some of the best and most eccentric pilots in the world. It's as though he's been dropped in the middle of a wilderness, and meets this guy who's not only super-cool, but knows the way out. Billy really admires the guy, then becomes disillusioned by him ... Sexually, Mel and I got on famously. I found him to be a very gentle and kind lover ... It helped me realize the kind of actor I'm not. I'm the kind of actor who puts his ass into what he does and doesn't mind getting into those dangerous, uncomfortable places. I guess I'm an actor because otherwise I could really live in denial of my feelings or aspects of myself - if I didn't look at them reflected back at me ... Like our characters, there are certain aspects of both of us that we get on each other's case about, you know? [Mel Gibson would] say, "Taking yourself pretty seriously today, huh, Downey?" But it's all with good humor. |
Lit Reference |
Air America by Christopher Robbins Though it is a movie tie-in, Air America is one of several books the author has written on the subject. |
Release |
10 August 1990 |
Availability |
Released on DVD in Region 1, 2 4 and in Blu-Ray. |
Foreign Titles |
Argentina: Locos Por el Peligro (Crazy for Danger) Brazil: Loucos Pelo Perigo (Crazy for Danger) Denmark: Luftens Helte (The Air Heroic) |
Rotten Tomatoes |
17% Fresh | 12 Reviews |
Critical View |
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone: The film remains stuck in a farcical groove, with Downey playing green kid to Gibson's grizzled vet. Downey did the same routine to better effect as a legal clerk to a burned-out James Woods in True Believer Hal Hinson, Washington Post: Gibson is perfectly matched with Downey, who's wilder and more youthfully kinetic. This is a magnetic young actor, regardless of the material. It's fun just watching him think things through on screen. |
2 Reasons to See It |
1. For the MASH-style war antics. 2. Remember when Mel Gibson's claim to fame was being a heart-throb ... |
Overall |
Mediocre. Downey has a fair amount of screen time, so you can't complain that there isn't enough of him. |
If You Like It |
You might also like Tropic Thunder (2008), The Singing Detective (2003) |
Photos |
Video |