Home of the Brave (2006)

As a former solider, this move is irritating

Mere weeks away from learning that their unit has received orders to go home from Iraq, various soldiers go on a humanitarian mission and run into an ambush. Chaos ensues, and all receive an injury in one way, shape, or form. Weeks later they are all in Spokane, Washington and the four main characters (Vanessa - Jessica Biel, Will - Samuel L. Jackson, Jamal - Fiddy, and Tommy - Brian Presely) deal with piecing their lives together while many hate the war, and by proxy, hold that hatred against the soldiers involved in it. The rest is just a person-by-person experience of individuals coping with semi-related post-war lives.

Home of the Brave is controversial in that it's difficult for a movie-maker to relay a message that's very positive of the military life or the struggles of a soldier - and keep a job in Hollywood - but it's clear that the creators of this movie didn't even remotely try. They paint a bleak picture of abandoned, abused, and shell-shocked soldiers who drink uncontrollably, can't control their anger, and can't relate to the "civilian life" outside of the foreign world of the military. In that sense, Home of the Brave reminded me in many ways of The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien. Pain often accompanies scars, but what doesn't always coincide mentally, however, is the visibility of those same scars. Outward appearances don't always convey the truth of trauma or mental difficulties.

With all that said, however, as a former soldier and family member of several generations of soldiers, I can say unequivocally that the image conveyed is hazy to say the least. To be more accurate, it's slanted politically, with hints and outright displays of ignorant anti-war rhetoric, and reeks of the same type of elitist comments made by John Kerry about the correlation between being in the military and a lack of intelligence or education.

While the biased, hyper-focus of the movie is on the troubled few, what's left out is the great majority who deal with their troubles without a comment or complaint. Therein exists the truism of bravery, courage, honor, and sacrifice of the majority, and perhaps it would do the Hollywood folks a bit of good to concentrate a little more on those stories, because I've heard several and I'm sure there are countless more. September 14, 2008

Worst of the "Coming Home" movies

There are far superior movies that don't have to do with the war in Iraq or Afghanistan, than this puker (e.g. The Best Years Of Our Lives). They carry the same message of coming home from war better than this one [tried]. Oh, Samuel L. Jackson was pretty bad, as was Jessica Biel. 50 cent acting "ain't worth a plug nickel" (thought I'd throw that in) even if he got acting lessons from the late Lee Strasberg or Ice Cube (who isn't all that great, himself), it wouldn't help. But when I see 139 of these DVD's on sale for .75 on Amazon, that about sez it all. You'll be part of "The Home Of The Brave" if you buy this stinker. Waste of time and money. August 22, 2008

Worst "war" movie ever.

This may be the worst war movie I have ever seen.
How could Samuel L Jackson or Jessica Beil be part of this?
I had to shut it off about half way through because I just wasn't buying it. Horrible acting, very predictable with every cliche in the book.
Don't waste your time with this movie. August 21, 2008

When Will, Vanessa, Tommy and Jamal come limping home

The story opens with soldiers learning their unit only has two weeks to go before returning home. If you have a sinking feeling in your gut, you're right. The unit's attacked on a humanitarian mission and a near bloodbath results.

The unit does go home to Spokane, WA, but none of them are ready for the 'hearty welcome' and most don't get it, anyway:

Will (Jackson) is a doctor who can't relate to his family or his patients and has taken up drinking

Vanessa (Biel) lost her arm in that attack. She can't relate to her old boyfriend and is having a difficult job as a phys ed teacher.

Tommy (Presley) lost:
* his girlfriend to a "Dear John" letter
* his best friend in the attack mentioned above
* his job when he returned home--oh and his sensitive boss asked: 1. did you shoot someone? 2. did you kill someone?

Jamal (50 cent) girlfriend won't talk to him. He's lost, bitter, and can't even get a discharge.

This is a worthy subject for documentation. The problem is the story's predictable, the dialog is toss-off in many points, and the whole message just gets bogged down.

If you like any of the actors, like war films, etc. give this film a look. In my opinion, "The Valley of Elah" tells the returning soldier story in a more real and better acted fashion.


March 14, 2008

DO NOT WASTE READING THE '1' STAR REVIEWS!

First, I am an OIF and OAF vet... Put down on the Army - geez - did that person miss the point of the movie. If you have a relative or friend in theatre (that is the proper, not american spelling of the word), Buy, rent, or borrow this film.

Look at it on a broader context. What each of the roles shows is reality; if you cannot handle reality - move to Canada (especially Quebec).

This film is not about war or any branch of service. This film is about what, all too many, veterans have gone through AND are still going through. This film; stirred, dug up, overwhelmed memories that I thought I had a handle on.

I am buying several copies of this DVD and mailing it to family members; in the effort, to prevent the massive screw up they did on my return. This film is only the tip of an iceburg and I have one other family member still over there.

Take it in context - open your eyes and minds, coming back from war, especially urban warfare, is difficult and many family and friends cannot understand what is felt; or as Jackson's character said, "I feel nothing." This film should be standard issue to families as loved ones deploy... February 10, 2008

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