Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

OVERALL: Good, moving, go see this movie!! It is truly an experience and an education.

POINTS: I felt like I was truly in Afghanistan and experiencing Barker’s life first hand. Wow and Huzzah to the movie makers.

PITFALLS: See Cultural Pitfalls below.

FEMALE CHARACTER(S): This movie is all about journalist Kim Barker, see LINKS below, who was a war correspondent in Afghanistan from 2004-2009. So this movie is all about a woman and she is well played by Tina Fey. My first thoughts about this character were that she was clueless and weak. Then I realized that I was better prepared for the cultural differences in Afghanistan than the Barker. This made me laugh and then I got to really enjoy the movie and the character. It was fun to watch her grow and change as a person. Very very cool.

CULTURAL PITFALL(S): Well this certainly showed a culture clash between Afghanistan and America in particular, and I found it interesting.

But uh, why was actor Alfred Molina, who is of Italian and Spanish genetic structure and English heritage playing an Afghani man? Uh, wow. I’m surprised the movie has not been picketed for this, surprised this casting was even done, and WTF? Yes he is a good actor, but are you telling me you couldn’t find an Afghani actor? Or at least an Asian actor. Hmmm…… CFR is not happy.

HIGH POINT(S):

1.) Air Quality. When Kim first enters Afghanistan she is told about the air quality. Dear Reader, I would have RUN back into the airport and gotten on the first plane home.

2.) Shooting Automatic Firearm. Ok, I would soooo have loved that!!!

3.) Watching Kim Change. There was a scene where I realized Kim had really changed as a person. It was done without words just Fey’s eyes. Wow. Well done!

4.) The Well Scene. So beautiful. You only see Fey’s face and it is wonderful.

5.) The Rescue. Go see the movie. You’ll understand.

6.) Barker and the General in the Gym. A perfect acting and writing example in film. As my husband said later, you don’t often hear those kinds of conversations. Just see the movie.  

BECHDEL TEST (Website): 3 of 3. You bet. There are several times women talk to each other about things other than men. Like war and reporting. OMG and Cool.

RACIAL BECHDEL TEST (Website): 3 of 3. This take place in Afghanistan so yes. 🙂 However, see Cultural Pitfalls above.

IMDB: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (2016)

OFFICIAL MOVIE WEBSITE:  Whiskey Tango Foxtrot  |  Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Instagram  |  Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Facebook  |  Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Twitter

DVD/BLU-RAY WORTHY: Yes.

LION PAW PRINTS:  3 of 5.

LINKS:

• Real ‘Whiskey Tango Foxtrot’ Journalist Kim Barker On The Insane True Story That Inspired The Tina Fey Film — EXCLUSIVE VIDEO
• Kim Barker, the real foreign correspondent behind ‘Whiskey Tango Foxtrot’
• Battle-Zone Absurdity and Adrenaline-Fueled Folly
• The Taliban Shuffle: Kim Barker on the ‘forgotten war’

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Trailer (2016) – Paramount Pictures

Mildred: In Addition: Mildred mentioned to me before I saw the movie that she could believe a movie title that is basically a swear phrase was out. 🙂 I was not surprised. We both like the title, BTW.