Love in Country

Love in Country is an extremely ambitious film. Set in Vietnam, the story follows a small group of soldiers during the war. The movie centers specifically on two army sergeants who fall in love with each other. The cinematography was well done especially during the many scenes in the forests and the night scenes. I did think that the visual effects of some of the smoke explosions and bullet hits came across as low budget, however I was extremely impressed with the set design throughout, there was one scene outside a house and there were multiple fires burning. Overall an impressive and ambitious movie, for sure.

Whilst this may be based on a true scenario, and there may well be an underlying critique on the intolerance of the US military towards anyone who wasn't a white, heterosexual, man during the Vietnam War (and in many other conflicts) that's no excuse for taking the story of these brave men and turning it into this. David Garber ("Sgt. Alexander") and Michael Southworth ("Sgt. Reese") are charged with leading a secret CIA mission whilst facing opposition from their tenacious enemy and, as the two men come to terms with their own sexuality, with their colleague's attitude to that - all whilst under fire and in hostile terrain. The narrative here is all over the place. The lacklustre direction and soporific score; the really mediocre writing and the stilted acting all contribute to what is essentially a throughly unremarkable piece of cinema that seems to have no idea who it is for, or what it is trying to say - beyond the bleeding (quite literally) obvious. Most films from this theatre of war depict tragedy and brutality - but most do it far more cogently than this insipid melodrama that uses a gay angle to the story to thinly disguise a poor piece of wartime story-telling. It can't have had much of a budget and much of it looks like it was filmed in someone's back yard. It probably was, and maybe they could just stick to showing it there, too. Very poor.

From the start I was drawn in by the cinematography. I was very impressed with the production value and effects. The actors all did a fantastic job bringing their roles to life in such a way that we feel for them along their journey. The fight scenes all worked but never got in the way of the story. I have never seen a Vietnam or war film with this take before and I commend the filmmakers for taking a risk and doing something that I don't believe has ever been done before. In the age of constant remakes, sequels, and spin offs it was refreshing to see something new. I highly recommend this film to anyone looking for a good watch.

Love in Country takes a real life event from the vietnam war and puts a fictionalized spin on things in a way that feels thoughtful and fresh. The filmmakers skirt around the fact that there is a whole war going on out there that we don't see much of, by focusing on a small group with a kee mission. There are a few factors involved that lead us to think this effort may be doomed from the start. There is some light racism lurking, a new captain who right away seems a tad unhinged, and the elephant in the room.... Two of the men in this company are in love.

Once those pieces are set, we're ready to set off on a journey of brotherhood and trust which will end with everyone questioning right and wrong, and how far someone will go to hold on to their morals.

Lots of nice cinematography in some picturesque locales. Authentic fight scenes and some classic war battles keep things interesting.

I gave it a chance. There were good reviews on here which is why I watched. WHY? It was horrible! Reminded me of a really, really, really bad version of Yossi & Jagger. No character development of the two main actors.... I couldn't even tell who they were at times. Poor crappy CGI effects. From the first few minutes I could tell this was filmed locally in some woods. If I wanted to watch a Vietnam field I'd watch Apocalypse Now. One or two scenes does not make it LGBT. Still don't what the movie was all about. Really. It had potential, and could have a LGBT movie with the Vietnam War as the background - I don't think there is any such movie.