Biloxi Blues
by Neil Simon
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Book Summary Information
Author: Neil SimonEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2010-08-20
ISBN: 0573690405
Number of pages: 104
Publisher: Samuel French, Inc.
Book Reviews of Biloxi Blues
Book Review: Portrait of the writer as a young soldier
Summary: 4 Stars
Despite Simon's reputation among some of the literati, this is not merely "theater that works." There are plenty of chuckles, but Simon manages to score some worthwhile points--about the "sanity" of army regulations; homophobia and its victims; anti-Semitism (even among those of the same heritage); questions about authorship and the rights, privileges and "authority" of the writer; and, perhaps above all, insensitive treatment of one's "own" that equals if not exceeds the animus directed toward the "declared" enemy. At the same time, the characters, at least by this time, are all fairly stereotypical "types," which places squarely on the shoulders of the actors the challenge of bringing each to life, individualizing them in the process.
The play, to my mind, could be reduced by 20 minutes without harm to the characters or themes. (The soldier who is court-marshalled on the charge of committing a deviant sexual act is required, following the sergeant's orders, to take literally minutes of the spectator's time as he suits up in view of his company--a protracted silent space that, while intended to emphasize the drama of his public humiliation, soon evokes more impatience and boredom than drama.)
Simon misses an opportunity to score a point for women by not having the prostitute and the idealistic "girl next door" (i.e. the one who is "the love of every young man's life") played by the same actress. Since she is little more than a symbol in both cases, using the same actress for both roles would emphasize the point that the difference between the prostitute and the virgin is a property belonging not as much to either character as to the eye of the beholder (and, no doubt, the eyes of the audience as well).
After most Simon plays that I've seen--as enjoyable, and frequently well-intended, as they are--I'm left asking the question: what was the main point? the purpose? the "thesis"?
This play was no exception.
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