Oliver Stone is without a doubt one of the most controversial Hollywood directors. His films are exceptional in terms of how he handles his subject matter and the degree of controversy caused by his approach to filmmaking. A quick look at his filmography as a writer and director shows that Stone is into films that comment on socio-political issues America faces. Some of his films that have the American society as their subject are the following: “Platoon” (1986), “Born on the Fourth of July” (1989), “JFK” (1991), and “Natural Born Killers” (1994).

Platoon

“Platoon” was conceptualized as an anti-war film, centering on the many negative aspects of the Vietnam War. Other Vietnam War movies (for example, Stanley Kubrick's “Full Metal Jacket”) dealt more with the physical pain experienced by the soldiers. Only few films explored how these soldiers coped with emotional and mental pains. Stone veered away from this cinematic tradition and went on to show the inner struggles of his subjects. In “Platoon”, we witness not only the physical suffering, but also the mental and emotional trauma that American soldiers suffered. Maybe it was Stone's participation in the Vietnam War that made the film so realistic.

Born on the Fourth of July

Set in the period 1956-1976, “Born on the Fourth of July” is inspired by the life of Ron Kovic, a paralyzed veteran of Vietnam War who later became an anti-war activist. The film was well received by the critics and earned Stone an Academy Award for Best Directing/ As one review of the film reads: “This film is a knockout, a huge angry howl of movie that uses a crippled Vietnam veteran's disability as metaphor for a country's paralysis.” “Born on the Fourth of Jul” is perhaps one of the best movies tackling the devastating effects of the Vietnam War on the body politic.

JFK

“JFK” is another controversial film directed by Stone. It dealt with th undying debate about who really assassinated President Kennedy. The film focused on the investigation of district attorney Jim Garrison regarding the assassination of the American president.  “JFK” echoed the questions and feelings that common Americans had about the killing. In general, the film was a gripping tale that demonstrated the larger cultural conflict over meaning and values in the American society and the struggle for defining national identity. The film was not made to be documentary, but a compelling work of art that incorporates facts ton convey fiction. In using such techniques as repetition of actual footage and replacement of sound, Stone was able o make a fresh perspective about the assassination, causing many viewers to believe there was conspiracy involved in the Kennedy assassination.

Natural Born Killers

“Natural Born Killers” is considered by many viewers and critics as one of Stone's greatest works. The movie caused severe controversy because of its graphic but honest representation of how mass media devilishly devour on crime and violence. It also shows how Americans respond o glamorized acts of crimes. While it certainly angered a large part of the American population due to the shockingly violent scenes, devoted fans and many film critics had a different view about the message this movie is attempting to convey – simply the fact that a TV-based society has narrowed our choices of entertainment to sex and violence. Stone's mastery of satire made this twisted tale – about to mass murderers, how a journalist glorifies their crimes, and how the nation idolizes the killers – a masterpiece.