Court-room drama with Tom Cruise, as a wise-cracking Navy lawyer who has never seen the inside of a courtroom, and Demi Moore as a Navy Internal Affairs investigator, who are pitted against Kevin Bacon, as the Marine prosecutor and Jack Nicholson, as a contemptible Marine colonel.

SEX/NUDITY 3 - Some very explicit talk of oral sex. A comment about being sexually aroused. One soldier is shown in his underwear.

VIOLENCE/GORE 3 - The opening scene depicts the tying up and gagging of a young soldier; he ends up dying from the attack, and we see the blood-stained sheets of his bed. Nicholson threatens to kill a sergeant if he does not perform.

LANGUAGE 7 - The F-word is used at least 10 times, as well as other four letter words which are used indiscriminately and throughout.

DISCUSSION TOPICS - Trying to live up to one's father's brilliant reputation. Drinking to excess. Lying. Living by a military code which conflicts with society's ethical standards. Does the end ever justify the means?

MESSAGE - The strong must not only not pick on the weak, but must also defend them from danger. Telling the truth is the best policy, even when it conflicts with loyalty to one's friends and colleagues.