SGT. Will Gardner

As a veteran, I saw healing processes in this movie. Some parts were difficult to watch while others were very warming and fulfilling. I saw a loving husband and father that suffered from poor choices made by not only himself but other key people in his life. I saw a man who was healing himself by helping others. I saw a man, who even though down and out, refused to give up and pulled those around him, up on their feet to stand tall and be proud of who they are.

Even though it's relatively formulaic, trite and unimaginative. Especially the direction and editing. The cinematics are generic. but the writing is subtle and actors (including some notable cameos) carry a loosely cogent story through. There's a depth to the characters and dialogue and narrative that is compelling. Worth watching it's message is clear and obvious but personal.

Will 'Ghost' Gardner (Max Martini) is a struggling Iraq War vet. He is constantly accompanied by the presence of his war buddy Samuel 'Top' Gallegos (Omari Hardwick). He steals a motorcycle from jerk employer Tony (Robert Patrick). Meanwhile, Mary-Anne Mackey (Lily Rabe) quits her office job in frustration. She keeps seeing Ghost riding the motorcycle and somehow assumes him to be Bryan Cranston.

The Bryan Cranston gag is funny the first couple of times, but it is a declining joke. It turns quite awkward and rather silly. Mary-Anne cannot be that dumb. I rather that she figures it out much sooner and drives off in a huff. This movie needs to be a road trip of individual encounters one after another. That's why I like the bar and I don't see JoBeth Williams enough. I like the family, but it would have been more original to have Buddy be a super nice guy. Charlie Burroughs is the best of the supporting characters. Despite some bumps in the road, this is a trip worth taking.

My wife and I watched this at home on DVD from our public library. The filmmakers have strong views about how difficult it is for many war veterans returning home to civilian life. Many are homeless and have to beg for survival and not enough is being done on their behalf.

Max Martini is very good as Will Gardner, a fictional character scarred by his action in Iraq. In California he is working as a painter but having difficulty with his boss. He shucks it all and on a "borrowed" motorcycle takes a cross-country trip, stopping here and there for family or friend interactions, ultimately ending up at Arlington cemetery.

The movie tells a worthwhile story, to help bring attention to the plight of many veterans. It loses some of its impact by editing which makes it very slow in many sections, some scenes seem to be prolonged beyond what is reasonable. Still we found it a worthwhile viewing.

I'm pretty sure this film must hold the IMDb record for the most fake (every) 10/10 reviews lol. Clearly the overall rating speaks for itself, and it's a very generous 6/10 from me.

I think Max Martini wore too many hats with this film. His acting was great, directing (camera) decent, but the pacing and length needed work. The screenplay is where this film had problems, with plot issues and too many long dragged out scenes, that along with the slow pace, dragged down this film's entertainment value. The delusional comrade (of which the content of the conversations were mainly boring and unbelievable) and all that narrating (again, mainly boring) were unnecessary, and I feel it really toned down and took away from the film. Directing his cast also needed work.

This film's production felt like one of those Hallmark/Lifetime films, and that's not necessarily a bad thing, but had it been edited down to 80-90 mins instead of its long 125 min runtime, it would have been more enjoyable.

Omari Hardwick, Gary Sinise as well as the rest of the supporting cast were good, but I felt Lily Rabe was over the top to the point of annoying in her opening scenes.

Nevertheless, an underwhelming film with a great story that should have been told better.

Still, mad props to Max Martini for putting his all into this film, and still pledging 30% of the film's proceeds to three charities that support veterans suffering from TBI, PTSD, and veteran homelessness.

Would I see it again? No. Would I recommend it? Yes, if you can get past the productions issues to see the reality of how PTST affects veterans. More of a Yes if you pay to see this film to pass on the financial support pledged to the Vets.