After reading some of the user reviews about this movie, I was initially reluctant to want to watch it. I was told by two managers at the video store that it was boring and lacked action depicted during wartime. But, I must say that I was rather pleased with the movie since my hope was that I would be able to witness the emotional drama of war, rather than the stereotypical battle scene that has been done by countless directors and producers, as well as avoid a political message being slammed into my face. Unfortunately, the fact that the film lacks a clear political message appears to be one of the characteristics that have annoyed some critics; I, on the other hand, feel that this was a strength of the movie.
I would recommend the film to any person, regardless of their political orientation, and especially to those people who have never served in the military. It is a harrowing glimpse into the realities that men and women in the armed forces must deal with during wartime. The most difficult part of facing war is not the actual war itself, but rather how one must come to terms and deal with the images that haunt them--all while attempting to live a normal life amongst friends and family that will never truly understand the trauma that he/she experienced.
The central theme of the film is not centered on combat, but rather the effects that combat and post-traumatic stress (a.k.a. - shell shock) has on the individual's mind. Many have commented that the film has a sort of "made for TV" feel to the movie; however, it appears that the director was attempting to demonstrate the connectedness that the soldier's experienced towards their fellow comrades since only they could understand what each had experienced. While the film may not be original in this regard (as compared to "The Deer Hunter"); it does present the issue through the contemporary lens regarding the present war in Iraq.
The film is neither pro- or anti-war since it only attempts to address what each soldier faces on a day-to-day basis following their return home. However, the director does present the audience with political opinions that are debated amongst the characters in the film. Questions such as "Is all this really worth it?" or "We're just in this war for oil" is presented a few times during the film and the director hold true to the theme by strictly focusing on the character.
A major weakness of the film is that the director does not develop the characters as well as one might wish. However, it is easy to pardon the director for this issue since the director is simply attempting to present this sensitive issue to the audience; therefore, the film is more theme-based rather than character-based. Additionally, the ending seems to scream "Hollywood" and melodrama, but it is fitting to those people who have served and I left the film feeling both emotionally moved and satisfied.
I would recommend the film to any person, regardless of their political orientation, and especially to those people who have never served in the military. It is a harrowing glimpse into the realities that men and women in the armed forces must deal with during wartime. The most difficult part of facing war is not the actual war itself, but rather how one must come to terms and deal with the images that haunt them--all while attempting to live a normal life amongst friends and family that will never truly understand the trauma that he/she experienced.
The central theme of the film is not centered on combat, but rather the effects that combat and post-traumatic stress (a.k.a. - shell shock) has on the individual's mind. Many have commented that the film has a sort of "made for TV" feel to the movie; however, it appears that the director was attempting to demonstrate the connectedness that the soldier's experienced towards their fellow comrades since only they could understand what each had experienced. While the film may not be original in this regard (as compared to "The Deer Hunter"); it does present the issue through the contemporary lens regarding the present war in Iraq.
The film is neither pro- or anti-war since it only attempts to address what each soldier faces on a day-to-day basis following their return home. However, the director does present the audience with political opinions that are debated amongst the characters in the film. Questions such as "Is all this really worth it?" or "We're just in this war for oil" is presented a few times during the film and the director hold true to the theme by strictly focusing on the character.
A major weakness of the film is that the director does not develop the characters as well as one might wish. However, it is easy to pardon the director for this issue since the director is simply attempting to present this sensitive issue to the audience; therefore, the film is more theme-based rather than character-based. Additionally, the ending seems to scream "Hollywood" and melodrama, but it is fitting to those people who have served and I left the film feeling both emotionally moved and satisfied.