Air America (film)
Air America is a 1990 American action comedy film directed by Roger Spottiswoode and starring Mel Gibson and Robert Downey Jr. as Air America pilots flying missions in Laos during the Vietnam War. When the protagonists discover their aircraft is being used by government agents to smuggle heroin, they must avoid being framed as the drug-smugglers.
| Air America | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Roger Spottiswoode |
| Screenplay by |
|
| Based on | Air America by Christopher Robbins |
| Produced by | Daniel Melnick Mario Kassar |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Roger Deakins |
| Edited by | John Bloom Lois Freeman-Fox |
| Music by | Charles Gross |
Production companies | Carolco Pictures IndieProd Company |
| Distributed by | Tri-Star Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 113 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $30–35 million |
| Box office | $57.7 million |
The plot of the film is adapted from Christopher Robbins' 1979 non-fiction book, chronicling the CIA-financed airline to transport weapons and supplies in Cambodia, Laos and South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
The publicity for the film, advertised as a lighthearted buddy movie, implied a tone that differs greatly from the actual film, which includes such serious themes as an anti-war message, focus on the opium trade, and a negative portrayal of Royal Laotian General Vang Pao (played by actor Burt Kwouk as "General Lu Soong").