The article discusses the evolution of American cinema's portrayal of heroes, particularly focusing on Colonel Kilgore from 'Apocalypse Now' as a representation of a bygone era.
The article reflects on a significant shift in American cinema, particularly in the portrayal of heroes, correlating this change with the Vietnam War and the rise of a 'culture of crying'. Initially, American films celebrated heroic figures, but over time, particularly during and after the Vietnam War, these heroes were increasingly depicted as flawed and maligned. This decline in the glorification of heroism saw figures once venerated becoming vilified and scrutinized, relegated to the margins of cultural discourse.
