User Reviews

This is Martin Papazian's first feature film as director and since he's the lead actor as well as the one who wrote the screenplay, the onus or credit for this movie's success was on him. The story is a compelling one, and it was based on it that I took a chance on this indie film, a chance I don't mind urging you to take as well.

You will recognize veteran actors Laura San Giacomo and Charles S. Dutton as strong support cast; both did a splendid job in their respective roles as Child Protective Services agent Jolene and George the sheriff. The former is, at first, a cold hearted and bitter sounding bureaucrat while the other is sympathetic and supportive toward Anthony, the character played by Papazian. Anthony, a Marine Vet, recently arrived from his tour of duty in Afghanistan, and promptly discharged, suffers from PTSD; well I viewed it simply as completely guilt-ridden and experiencing nightmares and daytime flashbacks of an event that marked him. He killed by mistake a family, innocent people, including a child whose face haunts now him. His marriage went south fast because he did not cope well with his PTSD and his ex felt she could not live with him any longer, though both still loved each other, in their own way. Anthony was doomed for self destruction until his deep core values prompted him to, one night, help neighbor who came to him for help; that neighbor was a young teen, Wade, played quite well by fourteen year old Tristan Lake Leabu. Wade was the child of a drug addicted single mother, for whom he sought Anthony's help as she overdosed. Needless to say, the kid had issues. Anthony promised to help Wade; that included finding his father, if he could be found. When Marine Anthony makes a promise, he keeps it, regardless of the potential trouble. A bond developed between the two and it was that bond that would be both their salvage.

Papazian, who's had steady work over the years as actor, acquitted himself well for such a demanding role; he can now showcase this film in his portfolio and I think this may be the boost his career needed. I won't hesitate suggesting the movie to friends who might be interested by the plot.

The story had a good base and concept; the struggles of war and the haunting of what happened at war, which few "at home" can relate.

Enter the wife whom feels in danger and a life which seems to be falling apart. I'm sure many military can relate to the demons that haunt.

And then there's hope, hope in a young boy, hope in having someone to care for, maybe a small way to right a large wrong (the child he shot in war)... and then the dog.

Why kill the dog?! You lost me after that.. the movie was okay up to that point; typical drug addict selfishness, child suffering from the bad choices of his parent.. and then the dog is killed?! I can't stand those types of movies. Isn't there enough bad in the world?

I regret choosing this movie as mine and my husband's "down time to relax".. all it did was recharge my emotions and upset me all over again. *sigh*

A man suffering the absurdity of life, ends up finding something meaningful in existence by caring for an Orphaned child by happenstance.

The critics who reviewed this movie are tragic, Plainly most people rated this movie, ten out of ten. Only men so far rated this movie one out of ten. If you take a look at the critics reviews, and look at the scoring this is really about how some men can not relate whatsoever in empathy, neither have the ability to relate as they do not develop attachments to anything other than themselves, and thus have no ability to understand this movie. As the critics claim this man suffers self pity, which he does not suffer at all.

He suffers the absurdity of life, that meaningless existence, to which people died and suffered in a meaningless matter, to which he has nothing meriting his own existence. Then through happenstance he ends up caring for an Orphaned child that has also suffered loss.

The story is not about a veteran, he happens to be a veteran, but the trauma of his life is about the meaninglessness of life to which he finds meaning caring for a child.

It is a simple Drama about a man willing to find some meaning in life by caring for an orphaned child , and it is a wonderful little simple story.