louisafilm

"I Was a Soldier" is such an emotional and heartwarming movie about Dave Simms, a Falkland War veteran who's dealing with PTSD. It's set in Portsmouth and really shows how tough life can be on the streets, but also how strong people can be.

The movie starts off with Dave, who's lost everything because of his PTSD. The scenes with the New Year's Eve fireworks are super intense, showing how scared he gets. But then there's Sally, his awesome dog, who keeps him going. Their relationship is so sweet, and you can't help but cheer for them. Things get really serious when Sally gets hurt during an attack. Dave takes her to the vet, and they find out she has a tumor that costs a ton to treat. It's so sad, and you can totally feel how desperate Dave is. Sally means everything to him.

Just when you think things can't get worse, Dave meets Malcky, who runs a burger van. Malcky is also a veteran, and their friendship is really touching. Malcky is super kind, and watching them work together to save Sally is really inspiring. Their efforts to raise money and support each other are both heartwarming and exciting.

The movie also does a great job of showing how veterans like Dave are often let down by the system. His struggles with PTSD and lack of support are really frustrating, but the film also shows that there are good people out there who can make a big difference.

The acting is great. The guy playing Dave really nails his pain and hope, and the actor playing Malcky brings a lot of warmth to the movie. "I Was a Soldier" is a powerful and moving film. It shows the tough realities of life but also how friendship and community can bring hope and healing. If you love emotional stories with a good message about kindness and supporting our veterans, you should definitely watch this movie.

A day trip to the seaside, with fond memories of Brighton years ago. What could possibly go wrong? Answer...Almost everything, as the main characters try in vain to recapture old memories. Beautifully Directed by Stephen Cookson, who also wrote the story, which goes a full circle for one character and ends unexpectedly happily. I enjoyed this film so much, shown as part of the Cheltenham International Film Festival (2021), that I watched it twice. Superb acting by all four leads: Larry Lamb, Lesley Sharp, Marion Bailey and Phil Davis, plus an excellent supporting cast. Well done cast & crew!