Film Review: Unusual, Passionate ‘Aloha’ is Deeply Resonant

CHICAGO – Films with major movie stars that take real chances on story formula are rare. “Aloha” is one such example, and produces considerations that are way off the beaten path. Is it an allegory? An absurdity? An homage to 1960s paranoia? Only writer/director Cameron Crowe knows for sure.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

Despite all the questions after the film, the ride through the story is wild enough to maintain a commitment to it. There are several holes in the plot, soap opera-like revealings and apparent casting miscues, but in the end it doesn’t matter, as our heroes (Bradley Cooper and Emma Stone) use a covert rocket satellite launch as a basis for matchmaking. Step by step, the scenario creates an atmosphere that is centered around man’s inhumanity to its myth and nature, but also takes some time for a running gag about a pilot who communicates nonverbally. For Cameron Crowe, it’s a flight of creative fancy.

Brian Gilcrest (Bradley Cooper) is an ex-military covert operator who has worked with private contractor Carson Welch (Bill Murray). After committing some larceny and getting injured in Afghanistan, Gilcrest is blackballed, and comes to Hawaii to seek redemption with Welch once again, this time on a satellite launch that could expand the local military presence. After touchdown in the Aloha state, he runs into an old flame Tracy (Rachel McAdams), and is escorted around the project by eager pilot Allison Ng (Emma Stone).

One of Gilcrest’s assignments is to negotiate with the native president of the sovereign nation of Hawaii (“Hawaiian by birth, American by force”) to readjust an ancient burial ground for the anticipated base expansion. All this is complicated by his new connection to Allison, his past with Tracy, the threats by Welch and an oddball military staff which includes Col. “Fingers” (Danny McBride), General Dixon (Alec Baldwin) and Tracy’s silent husband, pilot Woody (John Krasinski).

“Aloha” opens everywhere on May 29th. Featuring Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Danny McBride, Rachel McAdams, John Krasinski, Alec Baldwin and Bill Murray. Written and directed by Cameron Crowe. Rated “PG-13”