Nearly a decade ago, the acclaimed actor Nicolas Cage starred in the unique comedy film Army of One, which is inspired by the true story of Gary Faulkner, a former construction contractor who was convinced he had a divine mission to capture Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. This intriguing premise had the potential to deliver an entertaining film, but unfortunately, upon its release, the movie faced severe criticism and was widely disliked by audiences and critics alike. The film’s director, Larry Charles, disowned the final product, claiming it was significantly altered by Bob Weinstein. If you’re curious about the film’s original interpretation, Charles has made the unreleased director’s cut available on YouTube. In fact, he uploaded it nearly a year ago, but it seems that it hasn’t garnered much attention (thanks to World of Reel for the tip!)
For those eager to explore the director’s vision, you can view the director’s cut of Army of One below. However, be prepared for a lengthy experience, as it runs an impressive 2 hours and 40 minutes. In contrast, the theatrical version has a runtime of just 93 minutes, making this edition a substantial commitment for any viewer.
As you may notice, the quality of the video may not be the highest, but it remains watchable, especially for those who are intrigued to uncover what Larry Charles originally intended when he crafted the film back in 2016. This unique opportunity allows fans to compare the director’s unfiltered vision with the final product that reached theaters.
In his review of the theatrical version of Army of One, our very own Chris Bumbray quickly realized that the film would not align with his preferences. He remarked, “To give him credit, Cage goes all-in here,” Bumbray noted. “This isn’t USS Indianapolis, where he looks embarrassed to be in such a low-rent production. He really tries, but Charles’s direction doesn’t help at all. It’s as if he directed Cage to act like he’s Sacha Baron Cohen, but that’s not where Cage’s talents lay. Having him play slapstick doesn’t work, and rather than finding the note that would endear him to us, his Faulkner is agonizing to watch, a problem for your main character.”
Bumbray further elaborated, “It’s really a shame Army of One turned out so poorly as it’s chockfull of talent. This should have been good, and the premise is ambitious. In the end, the germ of a good idea wasn’t nearly enough to sustain a feature, and this is like a bad Funny or Die sketch stretched to feature-length. Only die-hard Cage fans need apply.” You can read the entirety of his review by following this link. Perhaps he will find the director’s cut more to his liking, offering a fresh perspective on this misunderstood film.
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