This film is a fine showcase for a courageous officer (Denzel Washington) to live by his values: he, even though under query by his senior officer
refuses to just pass on a recommendation for a medal of courage for another officer ( Meg Ryan) who was fatally injured by enemy attack (Gulf War) after her rescue helicopter was shot down.
SPOILER: The clues Denzel uncovers are from her crew who survived: one went AWOL, another was secretive, very angry, and soon committed
suicide in an eye popping run in with a train, actually witnessed by Washington. and another whose memory was unclear due to the trauma. The only discrepancy I could discern was that Lou Diamond Phillips (the angry suicide) said he was the one who thought of overboarding the drum of
napalm over the enemy camp and firing it with a pistol,destroying the tank and many lives, while Matt Damon (the seeming poor memory) reported
that Meg Ryan was the one who knew to do it,even while under great duress when her pilot was shot in the head, and she had to take over under fire.
The premise of the story was good, the acting excellent by everyone, the direction very good as to keep interest, and keep us awake, he flash backed the story those who were being interviewed by Washington told, so it stayed very fresh.
So, does it really matter whose idea it was to "bomb" the enemies on the ridge? A crew consists of real people with various experiences; the captain's job is to use good ideas and keep everyone focussed and alive, right? In the end, she did a lot to keep them alive, and refused to leave,
I'm guessing, because she was painfully and fatally wounded, and knew she would slow anyone down who had to carry her.
I just missed the point. Hopefully, one of you who understands this better than I will put me out of this misery.
Note: Removed one star just because it wasn't clear, and I wanted to be heard for my own experience.