In one of the many indictments of US-foreign policy, we get hit right where it hurts. Richard Boyle (James Woods) is a journalist with little direction in life in 1980. So, he and his friend Doctor Rock (Jim Belushi) drive down to El Salvador. But they never could have gotten prepared for what they were about to see there. As leftist rebels are battling the US-backed military junta, the death squads move across the country slaughtering civilians. To crown it all, Boyle even witnesses the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero, a champion of the country's poor, at the hands of Roberto D'Aubuisson's thugs. It seems that the only person whom Richard can trust is peasant Maria (Elpidia Carrillo).

"Salvador" obviously brings up the issue of journalism, especially in time of war. I read that there was some controversy about the portrayal of Boyle - some people claim that the movie lionizes him too much - but such arguments miss the movie's point. It was looking at the most vicious form of US-foreign policy, which continues in places like Colombia. Obviously, Oliver Stone likes to make politically charged movies, but this may be his best, alongside "JFK".

A strange irony to the movie is James Woods himself. His role in this movie suggests that he long held left-wing political views. Then, he became a September 12th Republican: a leftist who shifted to the right after September 11, 2001. Does he even still acknowledge this movie, or what it portrays? For more information about the US-backed regimes in El Salvador and the rest of Latin America, you can read three books: "A People's History of the United States" by Howard Zinn, "What Uncle Sam Really Wants" by Noam Chomsky, and "The CIA's Greatest Hits" by Mark Zepezauer.

It's 1980. Richard Boyle (James Woods) is a rundown independent journalist. He is desperate to leave San Francisco to go to El Salvador for the action. His buddy Doctor Rock (James Belushi) bails him out of jail and together they take a drug filled drive down to San Salvador. Major Mzx Casanova (Tony Plana) and his henchman (Juan Fernández) leads the military fanatics. Richard has connections from a previous right-wing article. He tries to reconnect with girlfriend Maria and helpful nun Cathy Moore (Cynthia Gibb). They join reporter John Cassady (John Savage). The new Ronald Reagan government is concerned about communist infiltration. The big networks aren't getting the real story. He gets involved with the guerrillas who want to tell their stories to the outside world and the government wants the pictures he takes. Filmmaker Oliver Stone lays out his political views. It's a cross between gonzo journalism and human rights abuses of central America. It's compelling by itself but it's James Woods' manic performance that puts it over the top. His energetic acting matches the chaotic political thriller.

An American photojournalist (James Woods) gets caught in a political struggle at El Salvador in 1980.

Oliver Stone is an interesting director. He has managed to make a name for himself, but most people could probably not name his movies, or maybe name a small handful. Other than "JFK", people may not have even seen many. He is actually better known for his left-wing politics.

In "Salvador", he definitely has the politics, expressing the view that one can be left-wing and still be anti-Communist and love America. This was a very timely film, and a subtle criticism of Ronald Reagan (though a couple years too late to really have any impact).