John F. Kennedy awakened a spirit of real pride with the creation of the Peace Corps. Lots of young Americans eager to do a bit of good in the world and apply their skills. Rita Wilson and John Candy are a pair of them bursting with excitement at a chance to make a difference.

But there's also Tom Hanks one of the privileged class that loves privilege who uses the Peace Corps as a hideout/getaway from some gangsters he won big money in a poker game from. He takes the place of his roommate who had already joined. His rich father could, but won't pay the money.

The biggest problem I have is that Tom Hanks really put a bit too much acid in his performance. I can't quite get into his corner to root for him.

Nevertheless there are some interesting observations about Americans going overseas with little and Hanks's case n no training in the culture and politics"of the country. John Candy as an eager example of that, he's such a dunce though. He's enjoyable in his goofiness.

Certainly Rita Wilson isn't goofy, she's eager to help. But their some sinister forces around these Volunteers, Their main assignment is to build a bridge. Old warlord Ernest Harada wants it made and so do Communist rebels. One wants to ship his product the other wants to send troops. You'd think that would everybody happy?

This however is just warming up the Cold war. The USA likes the warlord and Moscow likes rebels. Tim Thomerson is our CIA guy going incognito with the department of Agriculture and we like the warlord. Thomerson has spent a bit too much time in the jungle with his friend Mike. You watch the movie to learn about Mike.

Thomerson and Candy are the best ones in Volunteers.

Volunteers is no tribute to the Peace Corps. They really do good work and the Tom Hanks types you will not find.

Wonder what JFK would think of Volunteers.

It's 1962. Lawrence Bourne III (Tom Hanks) is a spoiled rich playboy. He graduates from Yale with a $28k gambling debt. His father refuses to pay and the violent creditor is aiming to collect. He escapes switching places with his roommate Kent who is going to Thailand for Peace Corps. US official John Reynolds (Tim Thomerson) assigns him, Tom Tuttle from Tacoma (John Candy) and Beth Wexler (Rita Wilson) to build a bridge. Local At Toon (Gedde Watanabe) is the only English speaker. The bridge is important for the CIA, the Communists and a local drug lord.

The comedy is broad. Tom Hanks is likable even as a scheming douche. That's a special skill. He has the best comedic chemistry with Watanabe. At least, he seems to have the most time with him. John Candy isn't nearly as lovable. He's either separated from the group or brainwashed. Brainwashed Candy is only an one-joke character. The jokes don't work enough. Rita Wilson rolls her eyes disapprovingly at Hanks a lot. There are some good moments like Candy vs the tiger. The movie never fully takes off as a comedy.

Snobby preppy college student cares about no one but himself. Accidentally joins the Peace Corp and learns the value of caring for others.

Same self-centered womanizer tries to woo a pretty woman also in the Peace Corp. She rebuffs him and despises him. Later falls in love with same man.

It had its moments but was largely uninspiring. I wanted to like it because of Hanks and Candy but I think the movie is average at best.