Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk

Hang in there, Sergeant.

American heroism has a new face today.

Despite heavy enemy fire,

a young infantryman rushes to the aid of his fallen sergeant.

This now-famous image was captured on a camera

abandoned by an embedded reporter

during an ambush by anti-coalition forces in Al-Ansakar, Diyala Province, Iraq.

Nineteen-year-old Specialist William Lynn was awarded the Silver Star,

and he and the eight-man Bravo squad

have spent the last two weeks touring the country,

receiving the nation's thanks.

Their tour ends right here in Dallas, where they'll be performing

in Thursday's halftime show alongside Destiny's Child.

Hello?

Hey, Billy. How's your head, buddy?

- What? - You get a good night's sleep?

Yeah, those strippers last night were really into you, man.

What are you talking about?

Hey, remember that halftime show we're doing?

- Shit! - With Destiny's Child?

Why don't you join us, dumbass?

Here's the reason why people love this story.

They give us hope, they give us reason not to despair.

- Yeah. - (INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Six minutes and 40 seconds late.

Yes.

- Are you flaking' on me, Lynn? No, Sergeant.

Just dreaming about cheerleaders.

- Good man. I know it's not a popular war,

and I know what's going on in the media right now,

but Bravo's a story about America feeling good about America again.

When the last time you felt good about that, huh? Tell me.

Dude! She really liked me. She gave me a freebie.

Sykes, you are so full of shit, man. We were all wasted last night.

I can't remember shit. You sure as hell can't remember shit.

Well, all I know is I got a free dance.

We all got a free dance, boy. Strippers love their country, too.

What I'm saying is,

there was a connection between us, you know?

Emotion and shit.

- That's her job, motherfucker. - (LAUGHING)

Supposed to make you feel like they like you.

Waitress, actress, stripper, prostitute.

Go fuck yourself.

Come on. At ease with the trash talk, fellas.

- We're in front of civilians. - Yeah. Hey, listen up, all of you.

Right now, by the grace of God and the media,

we are the face of the American military,

and you will act accordingly. Do I make myself clear?

Hooah!

Man, we're gonna look ridiculous.

Tell me about it, man. This whole tour's been

one big dog-and-pony show for the cameras, Sergeant.

Those were just local appearances.

At halftime, we will be performing on national television

in front of 40 million viewers.

Now, if that happens to be the mother of all clusterfucks,

then we should blame it on bad intelligence.

Inspiring words, Sergeant.

No, they're not the... No, they're not the elite force.

No, they're a bunch of kids thrown into the deep end

of a not-so-popular war.

And what do they do?

They bond together with love and brotherhood, that's what they do.

You can't write that shit, man. Come on!

You guys the Bravos?

What gave us away?

Sergeant David Dime.

These are the men of 2nd Squad, otherwise known to the media as "Bravo."

Well, I'm Josh. I'm liaison from the team,

so if you guys need anything today, you just tell me.

- I'll be taking care of you, all right? - Hooah.

Sykes would like his dignity back.

- Crack needs to go fuck himself. - Come on.

This is Albert Brown, producer extraordinaire.

- How are you? - Army set us up with him.

You ever seen the "Fight Night" movies?

- Uh, no. - Well, you're missing out.

He'll be rolling with us today.

Um, is everybody here?

- Present and accounted for. - Wait, where's Major Mac?

We're missing our public affairs coordinator.

He's here, Sergeant.

Ah, Major McLaurin, I'm Josh. I'm gonna be taking care of you...

He can't hear you.

Major McLaurin was blown up on the first day of his tour

by an improvised explosive device.

Twice. Lost his hearing.

I'm... I'm sorry.

- (CLEARS THROAT) I'm sorry. - (MAN GIGGLES)

Um, well, uh, here's your ride to the stadium.

Courtesy of Mr. Oglesby. So if you guys'll just...

- Wait, wait. Norm Oglesby sent this? - (INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Who the fuck is Norm Oglesby?

All right, now, that's what I'm talkin' about.

- Just one little drink, Sergeant. - No!

But, Sergeant...

Sykes, have you not had your morning glass of shut-up?

"Quietness, quietness over this countryside,

"except for unmistakable signals on radio...

"Has anyone looked in the eyes of the dead?

"Is anyone living to look for future forgiveness?"

Well, I'm not much for poetry, but this was one of Sergeant Breem...

Shroom's favorites.

I remember him walking around base camp perimeter

reciting this kind of stuff really loud.

"Just sharing the wisdom," he said,

when I'd tell him to shut the hell up.

Maybe Shroom had a point.

But personally, I believe he was really using his voice

to let the insurgents draw a bead on us with their mortars,

because that's the kind of person Shroom was,

always thinking of the other guy.

Private Beckwith!

Here, Sergeant!

Sergeant Holliday!

Here, Sergeant!

Specialist Koch!

Here, Sergeant!

Specialist Yang!

Here, Sergeant!

Specialist Lynn!

Here, Sergeant!

Private Sykes!

Here, Sergeant!

Specialist Montoya!

Here, Sergeant!

Staff Sergeant Breem!

Staff Sergeant Virgil Breem!

Staff Sergeant Virgil Jeremiah Breem!

Honor Guard! Attention!

- Ready! Aim! - (RIFLES COCK)

Fire!

Ready! Aim! Fire!

Aunt Marie said she hardly recognized you on TV, you'd gotten so big.

What's the Army been feeding' you?

We order Domino's, mostly.

It's easier than cooking.

They don't really have those over there, do they?

Yeah. And free extra cheese with every medal, right, Billy?

Oh, Kathryn!

Everyone in town's been asking about you.

It's like we're celebrities.

The neighbors all say how proud they are of you and how grateful they are.

Billy, you're not on duty, you're home,

so go put your dogs up.

Yes, ma'am.

Come help me get the casserole dish down.

I'm making' your favorite, chicken tetrazzini.

Except I'm making it with turkey instead of chicken

since you can't be here for Thanksgiving.

- I figure turkey's just as good, right? - Turkey's just as good, Mom.

And I have stocked the fridge full of Cokes, Dr Pepper,

sweet tea, all your favorites.

Or we could slip out the back and have a beer.

Kathryn.

Kathryn! Get in here and let your brother be!

Change, though.

You wear that to dinner, and I'm gonna wear my prom dress.

It's tempting.

Hey, you, little man. What's up?

- You getting big and strong like your dad? - (PATTY CHUCKLES)

Where's Pete?

He's working a double shift. He sends his regards.

Billy.

We've been praying for you, you know that?

We're all so proud of you.

...saw an opportunity and came here...

- Him, too. - ...overrunning the town and setting up

- headquarters at the police station. - In his way.

Before dawn on Saturday, Captain Brown's men,

together with Iraqi forces, some wearing masks,

led an assault on the police station.

Dad.

After searching 24 hours, the troops found nothing but a few guns.

Locals say the insurgents had already moved on.

No drink on game day?

No. No, Dan, I'm excited, too. Yes, I'm excited. Yes.

Talk to your client. I'll do my thing. Okay. Thanks. Bye.

Hey, guys. Good news. Hey.

- We got interest... Hey, listen up.

Hey, we got interest from a major star.

Matt Damon?

- No. - DiCaprio.

- No. - Matt Damon?

- I just said, "Matt Damon". - (LAUGHTER)

Hey. Hey, this may not be a name

that comes readily to mind to you guys, but hear me out.

- Hear me out. - All right.

Hilary Swank.

- Whoa. - What?

She won an Oscar playing a guy in Boys Don't Cry.

Well, she played a girl pretending to be a guy.

We know who she is. Who she is. Why is she interested in us?

Because she wants to play him.

Oh, man!