Disaffected Vietnam veteran Mitch (the almighty Tommy Lee Jones in fine rugged form) decides to take over Central Park in New York City so he can raise public awareness about the shamefully neglected plight of fellow Vietnam veterans and other overlooked less fortunate folks.

Director Steven Hilliard Stern treats the delightfully ludicrous premise with utmost seriousness, keeps the gripping story moving along at a brisk pace, and generates plenty of tension. Lyle Gorch's compelling and provocative script offers lots of spot-on stinging social commentary on America's appalling apathy towards Vietnam war veterans and everyday people who feel like they have no control over their lives. Moreover, the sound acting by the able cast keeps this picture humming: Helen Shaver as pesky eager beaver TV reporter Valery, Yaphet Kotto as compassionate cop Eubanks, Lawrence Dane as slimy police commissioner Keller, Peter Dversky as equally smarmy deputy mayor Dix, and Gale Garnett as Mitch's fed-up estranged ex-wife Rachel. Sporting gnarly mirror shades and funky camouflage face paint, Jones cuts a cool and commanding figure as the deeply flawed, yet still sympathetic Mitch. Kudos are also in order for Laszlo George's slick cinematography and the marvelously moody score by Tangerine Dream. Granted, this movie isn't remotely plausible for a minute (for example, the corrupt city officials hire a couple of scumbag mercenaries to take out Mitch after the general public embrace Mitch as an everyman folk hero!),but it's this infectiously delirious sense of giddy absurdity combined with a certain lovably cockeyed sincerity that gives this flick its uniquely wacky 80's charm.

"The Park is Mine" is a modest yet fervent and well-intended mid-80's TV drama with a noble underlying message and a fabulous lead performance by Tommy Lee Jones. Basically speaking the film belongs in the thriller sub category of 'trouble with Vietnam veterans', but this one is of a different caliber. There where most exploitation movies deal with disillusioned veterans going bonkers and heading out on a violent murder rampage, "The Park is Mine" tries to implement a more emotional and humane approach. Sure the whole premise is completely implausible and even somewhat preposterous, but if you switch off your sense of logic for a good hour and a half, you definitely won't be bored! This is the second time Tommy Lee Jones depicts an embittered Vietnam veteran, after his role in the dark and gritty "Rolling Thunder". Mitch is an aimlessly roaming vet in New York. He can't keep a job, his wife divorced him and he doesn't get any respect from anybody is this damned city where everyone simply minds his own business. When his terminally ill war buddy commits suicide, Mitch finds out he was planning an attention- grabbing initiative in Central Park. Mitch executes the plans and takes control over the park. His peaceful but nevertheless explosive attempt to make people more aware of life receives a lot of interest from the media and support from the populace, but it's quite an embarrassment for the authorities – and particularly for the deputy mayor – so they try to eliminate Mitch in any possible way they can. There are some nice photographic shots and explosions, but this is primarily Tommy Lee Jones' movie! He's excellent, charismatic and quite overpowering with his painted face and mirror sunglasses. His great acting compensates even for the stupidest plot twists (Vietcong mercenary in Central Park? !?) and the clichéd ending. Jones also receives pretty good support from Yaphet Kotto as the likable copper and Peter Dvorsky as the sleazy deputy mayor.

You might say this is a passionate action movie. Probably did not cost much to make, but is somewhat interesting. Tommy Lee Jones plays a veteran from the Vietnamese conflict and he wants to raise awareness to how veterans, the elderly and underprivileged are overlooked. He decides to take Central Park hostage. Then he is forced to defend his position with gunfire. Who said all is fair in love and war?

Also in the cast are Helen Shaver and Yaphet Kotto. Not too far fetched; and this movie does grab your attention.