Change Your Image
joelsearls
Reviews
Lonesome Soldier (2023)
Real portrayal of PTSD and its Emotional Impact on Veterans
A well-done war drama film with a very real portrayal of Jackson, the lead and Army veteran character, from Alexander Randazzo. The film will move you emotionally and mentally to see the perspectives of many veterans and their families. Randazzo brings pain, guilt, and depression to the emotional life to Jackson on screen. Allison McAtee's performance as Jackson's mother, Teresa, is gut wrenching at times as to what she deals with having a son with PTSD. We get to see the emotional fallout of war on its soldiers and their families. Not too many films show this side of conflict. Top notch performances from Randazzo, Allison McAtee, John Ashton (Beverly Hills Cop I and I), Leah Grosjean, and Patrick. Y. Malone. Worth watching and sharing with your friends. It pulls no punches and delivers. A+
Hillbilly Elegy (2020)
Accurate portrayals of people from Appalachia, worth seeing for the acting and characters
JD Vance's book was treated well and professionally by Ron Howard and Imagine Entertainment. Strong performances from the leading cast with Glenn Close stealing many scenes. Amy Adams is wonderful as JD's mother Bev where Gabriel Basso is great as the older version of JD.
Having grown up around Appalachia I have met most of these characters at one point in time in my life or another, so I am speaking from experience in how well the culture and people with their struggles are represented. Not too many punches pulled, where the film could have been a tad stronger without some of the political elements disappearing from the book when transferred to screenplay. Worth the watch and the read.