Demi Moore was honored at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, celebrating her Oscar-nominated role in The Substance. A retrospective showcased her notable films, including A Few Good Men, where she discussed her character JoAnne Galloway and the film’s avoidance of a romantic subplot. Moore praised director Rob Reiner and writer Aaron Sorkin for upholding the integrity of their characters amidst studio pressures. A Few Good Men remains a revered legal drama, achieving significant box office success and critical acclaim.
Celebrating Demi Moore at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival
Last month, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival paid tribute to the talented Demi Moore, who was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress for her captivating performance in The Substance. This special recognition took place during the festival’s 40th edition, where attendees enjoyed a retrospective of her illustrious career. Following the screenings of her memorable films such as Indecent Proposal and Ghost, Moore participated in an engaging Q&A session alongside festival director Roger Durling, diving deep into her experiences in the industry.
A Deep Dive into A Few Good Men
During this fascinating discussion, Demi Moore reflected on her iconic role in the 1992 classic A Few Good Men. Directed by Rob Reiner and adapted from Aaron Sorkin’s acclaimed play, the film is a gripping legal drama that follows two military attorneys assigned to defend Marines accused of murdering a fellow soldier during a disciplinary incident. The responsibility falls on Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee, portrayed by Tom Cruise, who initially approaches the case with a casual attitude. However, his determined assistant, Lieutenant JoAnne Galloway, played by Moore, challenges him to take the case with the seriousness it deserves, pushing him toward the truth.
A Few Good Men boasts an impressive cast that includes Jack Nicholson, Kevin Bacon, and Kiefer Sutherland, among others. The script, penned by Aaron Sorkin, required no revisions, but some producers suggested introducing a romantic subplot between Moore and Cruise’s characters. Moore expressed her gratitude towards Rob Reiner and Aaron Sorkin for resisting the pressure to alter their relationship into a romance. “They stood firm against studio pressures, valuing the authenticity of our characters’ dynamic,” she remarked.
Moore went on to recount a notable anecdote involving studio executives questioning the absence of a love scene. Sorkin humorously countered the notion, stating, “Women have other goals than sleeping with Tom Cruise.” This exchange highlights the cultural assumptions prevalent in Hollywood during the early 90s, as many expected a romantic twist in the narrative. However, Sorkin’s screenplay skillfully sidesteps this cliché, focusing instead on the complex ethical dilemmas faced by the characters.
By maintaining a strictly professional rapport between the protagonists, A Few Good Men emerged as a cult classic courtroom drama that resonates with audiences. With four Oscar nominations and box office revenues exceeding $243 million, the collaboration between Aaron Sorkin and Rob Reiner proved to be a groundbreaking success.
A Few Good Men is currently available on VOD. You can also watch Demi Moore share her experiences and anecdotes on Variety’s show, “Does Demi Moore Know Lines From Her Most Famous Movies?” below: