"If you have any dogs in this town, you'll have to leash them while I'm here..."      

THE POSTMAN (R) 

Reviewed December 28, 1997 - Check out The Postman web site.

Directed by and starring Kevin Costner, The Postman is yet another post-apocalyptic film from the man who brought us Waterworld.  This time the year is 2013, and the United States has been torn by war, disease, and strife.  No longer is the country "United" in any way, but is now instead comprised of many small, isolated pockets of civilization that were once towns.  Lording over these townships is the sadistic General Bethlehem (Will Patton), who heads a KKK-style army that pillages and plunders America's new "feudal" world.

Enter Kevin Costner, who plays a peaceful wanderer travelling from town to town, performing Shakespeare in exchange for food.  Involuntarily drafted into Bethlehem's army one day, Costner's wanderer learns to despise Bethlehem's ways, and eventually makes his escape.  Then, desperate for any means of survival, Costner finds an old mailman's uniform and a single bag of mail, and uses them to gain access to both food and shelter in each town he passes.  Under the guise of a government employee for "The Restored United States of America," Costner becomes "The Postman," delivering both mail and hope to each weary town desperate for peace.

The rest of the story is fairly easy to put together.  With "The Postman" suddenly reconnecting the once isolated townships, his legend quickly grows and he soon develops a loyal following of new "postmen."  Bethlehem's power is, in turn, threatened by all this, leading to eventual showdowns between Bethlehem and the postmen.

So, is the almost three-hour long Postman a film to see?  Well, that depends on what you're looking for.  Kevin Costner fans will surely enjoy this Dances w/Wolves meets Braveheart meets Waterworld saga, as will those who simply appreciate great landscape cinematography (there's lots of it here...).  Costner's performance is typical of all his other works, but is supported by fine performances from Will Patton, Larenz Tate (as Ford), and Olivia Williams (as Abby).  Add a touch of slightly hokey patriotism, and a combination sci-fi/western feel, and you're all set. 

Of course, those who aren't prepared to sit through three hours of post-apocalyptic Costner will likely come away disappointed by The Postman.  Yes, it is a slightly over-bloated film, and yes, it does drag in parts, and no, Costner obviously couldn't do Shakespeare if his career depended on it.  Still, this film is probably the most respect the U.S. Postal Service will ever receive in our lifetimes, and it's almost worth seeing just for the novelty of it all... :-)

Responses from cyberspace--thanks for writing!

honey@gorge.net gives this movie  stars: "I felt Mr. Cosner did a excellent job!!! I know that 3 of my friend's were selected for the movie though and turned it down. The crew wanted to spray paint the horses!!! Well I would of done anything to be in the movie, it was so moving.. Well ask Kevin people from Dufur Ore. I am now from the Dalles tried to get in but was too late, Lady Red.." (9/18/00)

tcbabear77@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "Though I love Cosner...The Postman was about the same as Water World...boring. It dragged in places and for some crazy feeling it reminded me of the civil war. I'm still trying to figured, why the main character had to do with a postman of all things? The scenery was beautiful. " (1/6/00)

leetravathan@earthlink.net gives this movie  stars: "When a movie like The Postman is not nomimated for an Oscar, it is cause to wonder. I'd like to see anyone attempt what Kevin did without recourse. It was bold and "out of the box" thinking. As my friend, David Brin stated,"If Kevin were not so beautiful, he'd have won an Oscar for cimematography by now." David and I did a radio show in support of the film after it was bashed and bombed. Over 200 people called my film production office with stories of how Cosner films had made positive impacts on their lives.They begged me to get messages to Kevin to say, "You just go for it!" So...critics, I'd like to see you find one person who could say that about your work! The guy makes a difference in film. The guy makes a difference in the world. And that's the really the point of a life well lived." (11/17/99)

zakmckracken@usa.net gives this movie  stars: "A small budget for a great film. Absolutely a film to see. Bye." (12/6/98)

mike.novakovic@mailexcite.com gives this movie  stars: "I thought it was a great movie." (10/28/98)

wireframe@compuserve.com gives this movie  stars: "It wasn't the best film ever made, but it also wasn't the worst." (9/1/98)

Jerrypianka@sprintmail.com gives this movie  stars: "Wow, weird... Am I the only one that liked this movie? I found it second only to "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"." (6/26/98)

Gerry gives this film  star: "This was the worst movie I ever saw." (1/6/98)