Home of the Brave
For years now, the USA has been sending over its own soldiers over to
Iraq, in order to help the political conflicts which are occuring over
there. President Bush seems to find that sending over our troups is a
rational and patriotic thing, because he has not withdrawn the troups
from Iraq. The emotions of many civilians vary, depending on which
political party they support and if they are in aggreance with Bush’s
ideas. In actuality, many Americans seem to be disapproving of
President Bush’s methods
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/07/AR2005060700296.html).
There are also some eople believe that Iraquians to do not support
the idea that American soldiers are in their country. They regard it
as an imposition from the Americans.
In the film “Home of The Brave”, we see the soldier’s view of the war
in Iraq. A movie presenting many unexpected aspects of the war and
its effects on the soldiers really opens up the eyes of its viewer.
The movie begins with the soldiers receiving the news that they will
be leaving Iraq, and going home within two weeks. Everyone is happy
and they become hopeful. The main soldiers on which the movie foccused were
all in their midtwenties, and a doctor soldier, played by Samuel L.
Jackson, who is in his late forties.
The soldiers are on their final mission, including the doctor. They
are sent to an Iraqi city to deliver to a doctor some medical supplies.
In order to reach that city, they must pass through various little
villages, one which they come accross brings up difficulties. They are ambushed
by the Iraqis, many are killed by the shots. One of the army trucks
ride over a bomb, where one person dies, and the other woman, played
by Jessica Biel, being the driver of the army vehicle, is a victim of the
bombing, having her arm amputated. Another three soldiers are caught
in the ambush, and are trying to escape it. One of the three is
killed, shot in the back of his neck, killing him instantly. He was
only 21 years old.
The next image we see is the image of the soldiers back home in their
daily lives. They expect to be happy and return to their original
lives, the lives they lead before they went away to war, but it
doesn’t happen. Every soldier is having trouble sleeping, they are
all emotionally disattached from the things they previously cared
about. They find themselves not able to connect with the people they
left behind at home. They no longer find anything in common with
them, and seem alienated from everything around them. A few times,
they encounter each other at different places, such as the cinema,
where they begin to speak to each other…soldier to soldier and they
feel as if they are finally understood.
The doctor is having troubles returning to his normal state of mind:
he can only think about the many amputations, the dead bodies which
layed in front of him when he was Iraq.
The young woman with the amputated arm is having trouble reviving her
relationship with her boyfriend that she left behind. She can barely
hold her son, her household chores are practically impossible with one
arm, and that is only the physical aspect of it all. She feels the
constant stares follow her wherever she goes. They aren’t looks of
happiness or thankfulness, yet they are looks of alienation.
Another character, who’s best friend died in Iraq during the ambush,
is having trouble putting his life back together.
The viewers constantly see how difficult it is for the soldiers to
rejain even a shred of what they had. Their minds are entirely
altered, and they do not handle it well.
This movie is a great one because it allows many people to get a close
look at what it was like for the soldiers that were in Iraq, and what
it is like for them to return back home. It is also a great film
because it does not seem to be overdone by Hollywood, yet it shows
essence and naturalism.
If you are looking for a deeper look on the war on Iraq, in the
perspective that a soldier views it, “Home of The Brave” is certainly
a movie to see.
Magalie Amine
Credit granted.