by Thomas Ferguson

The Iraq War is definitely a sensitive subject in our country. Some people are for it and others believe we are fighting a senseless war we shouldn’t even be in. Regardless of your personal view, one practice of our military has caused great turmoil and controversy. Stop-Loss is the term used when soldiers are forced back into active duty after their original tours of duty have been completed. It is also the title of a new Paramount Picture film.

Decorated soldier Brandon King (Ryan Phillippe) is coming home to Texas, ready to start his life over again and trying desperately to forget everything he witnessed in Iraq.  He is supposed to be getting out for good , but finds out that the military has different plans for him. Not willing to go back to war, Brandon goes AWOL and flees Texas for Washington D.C., where he believes a local state Senator can help him out of his situation.

Everything he believes in is shifted. The people he has loved and trusted his whole life, mainly his best friends and fellow soldiers Steve (Channing Tatum) and Thomas (Joseph Gordon-Levett), are pulling him in different directions. He knows he has really messed up, but he is angry that the military didn’t honor their part of the deal. He served his time, now it’s time for him to move on with his life. Instead he is being “backdoor drafted” and there is nothing he can do.

This practice has been a hot topic for some time and until this film, I had no clue. There are soldiers affected by this daily. Writer/Director Kimberly Peirce(Boys Don’t Cry) takes a political statement and makes it personal. Letting us see what these soldiers face mentally and physically when they come home.

I seem to be “on the fence” on a lot of movies these days. Most of the time, I lean towards the negative, but this time I’ll lean in the opposite direction. Yes, this movie has major problems. Some of the acting was over the top. Yes, some of the dialogue was down right laughable- and yes I did laugh at inappropriate times. Yes, some of the action and story-telling was cliché.

All of that aside, I looked at this movie for what it was, a story that about our brave soldiers. The men and women who sacrifice themselves for our future. Seeing not only how they cope with this war, but their loved ones as well. This movie touched me and I did not expect to be moved…twice. Although, I have huge problems with it, I have to recommend this movie. It is thought provoking and it stayed with me after leaving the theater.