From: Reviews and Criticism of Vietnam War Theatrical and Television Dramas (http://www.lasalle.edu/library/vietnam/FilmIndex/home.htm) compiled by John K. McAskill, La Salle University ([email protected])

T4260 THANKS OF A GRATEFUL NATION (USA, 5/31/1998) [TV]

Credits: director, Rod Holcomb ; writer, John Sacret Young. Cast: Ted Danson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Brian Dennehy, Marg Helgenberger. Summary: Melodrama set in the U.S. in the 1990s. The 1991 Persian Gulf War is a military triumph for the United States. But when thousands of returning veterans start to develop medical problems, it appears that the military is trying to downplay or ignore the situation. It takes perseverance on the part of military families and members of Congress to bring to light the dilemma and prompt action on the part of the government. Jim Tuite (Danson) is a retired Secret Service agent and Vietnam veteran who is reluctantly drawn into the investigation of what he comes to believe is a conspiracy to deny Gulf War veterans deserved medical treatment.

Bentley, Rick. “Unsung heroes: Cable film shows how returning Desert Storm veterans have been abandoned by the American government” Fresno bee (May 28, 1998), p. E3. Eicher, Diane. “Personal stories at heart of balanced ‘Grateful nation’” Denver post (May 28, 1998), p. E1. Goodman, Tim. “America at war: Two cable movies, one successful and one not, take critical looks at Vietnam and Gulf conflicts” San Francisco examiner (May 29, 1998), Weekend, p. C1. Grahnke, Lon. “Drama stirs up a Desert Storm: ‘Thanks’ examines Gulf War syndrome” Chicago sun-times (May 29, 1998), p. 50. Hodges, Ann. “Cable TV movies take shots at Pentagon” Houston chronicle (May 29, 1998), Houston, p. 1. James, Caryn. “TV weekend: Complex warriors and victims” New York times (May 29, 1998), p. E1. Koch, John. “Actors shine in flawed, heartfelt ‘Thanks’” Boston globe (May 30, 1998), Living, p. C8. Miller, Ron. “Showtime crafts a powerful drama of Gulf War syndrome” Des Moines register (May 31, 1998), Iowa TV, p. 2. Mills, Nancy. “Mystery solving Senator’s aide looks into lives affected by illnesses after war” Chicago tribune (May 31, 1998), TV Week, p. 5. ______. “TV book: Getting ‘Thanks’: Ted Danson wages war with the Pentagon over Gulf War syndrome in a Showtime movie” Boston herald (May 31, 1998), Television, p. 6. Mink, Eric. “Of 2 films, 1 war-rants attention: ‘Nation’ a stirring gulf tale, ‘Lie’s’ a ‘Nam nonstarter” Daily news [New York] (May 29, 1998), p. 126. Pennington, Gail. “The ugly secret of Desert Storm, the ‘perfect war,’ is exposed” St. Louis post-dispatch (May 31, 1998), Everyday magazine, p. D8. Richmond, Ray. “Thanks of a grateful nation” Variety (May 25-31, 1998), p. 35. Shales, Tom. “‘Grateful nation’: When the enemy is us” Washington post (May 30, 1998), Style, p. E1. Shenon, Philip. “Another televised strike against the Pentagon” New York times (May 31, 1998), sec. 2, p. 34. Simon, Jeff. “Showtime shows nerve with ‘Lolita,’ ‘Grateful nation’” Buffalo news (May 31, 1998), TV topics, p. 2. Storey, Michael. “Film explores war’s aftermath” Arkansas Democrat-gazette (May 31, 1998), p. TV5. Weill, Courtney. “Tennesseans battle the U.S. military: Gulf War syndrome brings out the fight in Teri and Chris Small” Tennessean (May 31, 1998), p. 3S. Zad, Marty. “A full plate on cable this week” Washington post (May 31, 1998), TV week, p. Y4.

c2005 J.K.M. Enterprises