Salvaje

Harry tells his story in such a pure and raw way. Never have I cried so many times while watching a documentary. The connection he has with Kahn and Keanu can be felt through the screen, along with the strong bond he has with his family. Well done.

If you're looking for a documentary where you feel every emotion- sadness, joy, love, anger, this is the documentary for you.

Harry is going to inspire everyone who watches his story that redemption is possible, you can be happy despite what you've been through, and the love and happiness you are looking for may just be found in a furry friend in a way you never expected.

Thank for for sharing your story, Harry. It won't be easily forgotten.

As "Wildcat" opens, we are in "The Peruvian Amazon, 5 Hours Away From the Nearest Town" and we are introduced to Harry, a British veteran who came back from Afghanistan with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He comes to the jungle and joins Hoja Nuevo, an NGO to prevent deforestation and rescuing animals. Harry is assigned to an orphaned baby wildcat. In a parallel story, Harry gets to know Samantha, the NGO's founder.

Couple of comments: this documentary is co-directed by Melissa Lesh and Trevor Frost, who previously brought us "Person of the Forest". For some reason I was under the impression that this was a nature documentary about wildcats in the Amazon (wildcats are about twice as big as your typical domestic cat). Imagine my surprise, in the best possible way, that this movie is about so much more. Yes, there is cute footage of the wildcats, but in reality this is a look at how Harry deals with his PTSD, how it affects the people around him, AND the wildcats (who is rescuing whom here?). So as it turns out, on this very last day of 2022, I stumble upon one of the best surprises and movies of the year, and sure to make my top 10 of the best of 2022.

"Wildcat" started streaming on Amazon Prime just yesterday (12/30). This documentary is currently rated 92% Certified Fresh and for very good reason. I had read about this film in a recent New York Times article, nd had circled the release date on my calendar. If you are in the mood for a top notch documentary about the mental health struggles of a guy while also getting an amazing look into the day-to-day life of the Peruvian Amazon, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

The film "Wildcat", we see the ultimate evolution of Reality TV in the inner workings of a non-profit that is set up to rescue animals and return them to the wild after being traumatically separated from their parents, and interwoven with the idea that people with anti-social tendencies can be just as difficult to re-enter civilization.

To be fair, the two main characters of "Wildcat", Harry and Samantha, are well-meaning, altruistic people who's only goal is to re-introduce orphaned animals back into their own wild worlds. The fact that they are able to accomplish the goal of re-introduction of the animals does not extend to themselves. They both remain distant and aloof from the rest of the world-- Harry with his PTSD from being a soldier during the war in Afghanistan, and Samantha for her father's alcoholism.

Now the stories of Harry and Samantha are intertwined with the story of taking an orphan Ocelot and training it to be a wild animal--not just one time, but twice, almost as if created by a talented Scriptwriter. The parallel stories of the Ocelots with Harry are so clearly enunciated, they might as well have been a scripted Reality Show.

Every moment in the film is heartfelt beyond the standard of the usual documentary, so it is amazing to think that this is merely spontaneous, as each element of the plot serves to fit a 3-act structure. The storyline is almost a character in itself -- it seems to signal the twists and turns with almost uncanny precision in advance.

But ultimately, what results is a satisfying climax. It seems to allow the protagonists to have a mythic quality --these people are more than mere mortals, they are the embodiment of humanity's idealism.

This documentary, which is a bit too long for the content, has a theme of rescuing an animal, in this case an Ocelot, in the Peruvian Amazon. But it is actually more about a young man with PTSD and suicidal tendencies trying to salvage his life. There are a few glowing "10" reviews which don't really say anything about the film, many of them only have one review, I wouldn't trust those if one is trying to decide whether to take the time to watch this.

Harry is a Brit who, as a teenager, joined the military and had bad experiences in Afghanistan. Now out and in his 20s travels far away to escape life as he knew it, and ends up in Peru.

Harry meets Samantha (just Sam) there, she is a 20-something American student working towards her PhD, her area of focus is conservation of the planet. In some scenes she wears a T-shirt that says "There is no Planet B", a take on the old saying regarding a plan A and a plan B. We need to take care of this Planet.

Harry and Sam have a natural attraction but she is solid and high functioning, he seems always "needy", and needs the approval of others, including needing to feel good about the Ocelot he is training to be self-sufficient. He at times gets upset when the animal won't leave, then gets worried when it is gone for a few days. He cuts himself and wonders if he should just end it all. He is a real mess.

The Ocelot angle is interesting, particularly for me, a big fan of Ocelots. But the real core of the story is Harry, can he get a grip on reality and salvage his life? This film will not appeal to all but I am glad I took the time, as a peek into a segment of humanity I am seldom exposed to.

At home, on Amazon streaming.

This story is told so well and is perfectly structured. You really get the chance to get close to and understand Harry and Samantha. You can truly feel each of their perspectives and emotions. You get a great sense of what it takes to work through the lowest of lows that someone can feel.

This story is full of emotion where you can't help but feel connected to their story and struggle. Seeing their devotion to what they're passionate about and care so much for will undoubtedly lift you.

The music flows perfectly with all the visuals, being inspirational and beautiful. The visuals and cinematography are stunning, not just a result of the breathtaking jungle scenery.

An easy recommendation!