I just lost a friend. Everybody thinks they knew him. They are SO wrong.

[DFW]

62. I think you refute your own statement--my statement seems spot on to me

My viewpoint is hardly unique. Adrian gave talks at hundreds of events, both military and non-, and the thousands who heard him and/or met him realized it instantly.

Compare the video of Adrian in post 27 with any clip of Robin Williams in the film. Night and day, and Adrian tried to make that point with anyone who would listen, and plenty of people listened.

The movie created a record of practically nothing. It took the basic story of Adrian's time in Vietnam, and built a complete fantasy around it, which was further enhanced--and distanced from reality--by Williams' performance.

The nuances of who Adrian was, as you put it, were a vital part of his life. He did SO many different things after Nam, and his last posting, actively trying to bring closure to MIA families, even 40 years later, was one that accurately reflected his character, and was one that was at least as appreciated by the people affected as his radio voice was in the sixties. At least one poster on here was aware of that.

I'll agree that "whether or not the portrayal rang true would be lost on the millions that would see the movie," but the movie was not intended to be biographical or some kind of enhanced documentary. Adrian couldn't help that the makers of the film made no effort to explain that it was far from a true depiction. I can understand their point of view. That wouldn't exactly have helped their box office take. But it did give millions the impression that they knew what Adrian was like, where it did no such thing, and that was the point I was trying to make. I think most responders to my post got the point. If I am wrong, I'll be glad to let people post here to say so.