THE WAR (1994)

THE WAR Kevin Costner, Elijah Wood (1994, MCA/Universal, PG-13, priced for rental) It's a nostalgia-ridden, summer-of-'70 sob story; it's a Deep South preachment on the wisdom of pacifism; it's a family drama about loyalty and love. And that's about two plots too many to sit through, even without the unintelligible fake Mississippi accents. On the plus side, Costner as a Vietnam vet, Wood as his combative but soulful son, and Mare Winningham as the make-do mom give creditable performances. Sadly, this is the kind of film that hits all the moral high notes but still can't carry a tune. B- -- Melissa Pierson