Patriot Act: A Jeffrey Ross Home Movie

I am 51 years old and can remember the times Bob Hope took his traveling comedy show to Vietnam. His comedy was clean and sometimes a bit biting, but he never lacked in class. Even though we were opposite on the political spectrum I thought he was a wonderful comedian and I was proud that he risked his life to give the troops a nice sized portion of laughs that were in short supply in the American and allied military troops during that dark time in our history.

It was with such intent that I wanted to enjoy this movie, "Patriot Act." My, how times have changed! The jokes seemed overwhelmingly mean-spirited, one of them comparing the size of the audience to Rosie O'Donnell's private parts. Now is there really any need to go there. As the camera panned over the crowd as that joke fell fairly flat, you could see the puzzled looks on some of the soldier's faces. It seemed to me as if every joke had a political slant to it, as if they were saying "Republicans good. Democrats bad." They didn't need to resort to that. Surely democrats and republicans all have sons and daughters fighting in the war. It's not all black and white, right or wrong. I just don't think it should have been classless entertainment. Every other word out of the comedians mouths seemed to be the "F-bomb." That just lacks imagination. And Drew Carey, a comedian I normally enjoy, was cutting down the Iraqi women, their style of dress, the Iraqi food, their lifestyle. These are the people we are supposed to be helping, Drew, and insulting them is not getting us anywhere. We can't win their hearts and minds by making them the butt end of the jokes. Quit presenting yourselves as the ugly Americans and learn some class, a la Bob Hope.

Jeffrey Ross, a Friar's Club regular and comedy club mainstay for the past 15 years, steps into the role of documentary filmmaker in "Patriot Act." As part of Drew Carey's USO tour, Ross recorded over 15 hours of footage during a five-day trip through Iraq. What had begun as a home movie soon turned into something more for Ross as he was faced with the realities of war. Although the film is essentially a comedy, "Patriot Act" contains many heart-felt moments. Blake Clarke, one of the comedians on the tour and a decorated Vietnam Vet, recounts memories of war, the 60's anti-war movement, and military life then and now. Ross interviews many soldiers stationed throughout Iraq, giving the viewer honest, first-hand accounts of the controversial "war on terror."

"Patriot Act" is a wonderful film about war, the healing power of comedy, and one man's journey from the comedy club circuit to the front lines in Iraq.