Further proof that Farrelly did better, more charming work when he ballasted his soft side with raunch.

Though the messaging is a bit flat-footed, it’s nonetheless effective and clearly deeply felt, and it brings a sense of significance to this otherwise wacky real-life story, one that really does have to be seen to be believed.

[A] crass and manipulative warsploitation picture.

Its emotional core is hollow, the humor misses as often as it hits, and it leaves you with nothing new to think about.