An Act of War

Jacob, a veteran of the military has been released from duty and now faces the world he sought to protect. Unaware that he suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder from his capture and torture from enemy forces. Trying to make sense of his life, he leads a dreary existence as a projectionist for a run down theater in a poor neighborhood. He is surrounded with older run down mementos that remind of a happier past before the military. The people in his life also suffer the ills of the world around them; not catching a break from poor decisions. All these people intertwine with Jacob and lead to a tale of self destruction. This subject is something of a hotbed and not nearly addressed enough by society. We send strapping young lads into war but are never prepared to deal with the consequences and the products of such devastation.

And what of these heroes when they return? Many of them become homeless, unemployed, even worse they are ignored. Ryan Kennedy brings out a brilliant tale that taunts shocking realism for the men and women in our armed forces. This vision complimented with the black and white cinematography brands this sense of isolationism and angst. It's a call for healing to those who suffered and need our attention. The world is too busy to help another human being much less a soldier who has served his time. The performance by Russ Russo as Jacob was heartfelt. The audience can easily connect with the protagonist and is carried through his journey of despair and the people around him that offer no solace. The cast had brought the dialog from Ryan to life completing the vision of this sad tale. This film is exclusively distributed on Kickstarter digitally and the campaign will finance its theatrical release. This movie needs to be shared as it is a beautiful piece of cinematography with a grueling story to tell.

I was employed at a VA Hospital for two years. No matter what department you are in, you get to know some of the guys who are there on a regular basis. Hard to admit, but this is an all to frequent tale of someone unable to adapt once they make it home. It may be a bit dramatic or theatrical in places, but that's the idea of a fiction I guess. I just felt the need to say that from my experience, the plot of this film is not too far fetched to be believable. I wish I had a solution to the problem addressed in the story, but I don't think there is one beyond ending all conflict, which is never going to happen. As long as people are sent to fight the battles of more powerful people, these issues will persist. At least someone took the initiative to address it in a narrative form, which will make a lot more people aware of it that otherwise would be. This is not an action thriller as it's made out to be, but certainly worth the watch.

I did not know what to expect before watching this film. I was pleasantly surprised at finding this "gem" of a film. It is beautifully shot and composed. Hard to believe this was a "first effort" by writer/director Ryan Kennedy - he takes you to the side of town where bottles, hearts and bodies get broken. Looking forward to what he does next.

The cast, top to bottom, is excellent. The three leads, Russ Russo, Natasha Alam and Doug E. Doug give honest, nuanced performances. Watching Russo is painful and heart rending. He is brilliant and I believed everything about him. I look forward to seeing more from this "new" actor. Ms.Alam is tragic in her portrayal of Ivana - her emotion truthful and raw. Doug E. Doug is equally good, bringing a quirky, broken, surprisingly sympathetic character to life. He is almost childlike.

There are other noteworthy performances to mention. Robert Miano as "Sully," is natural and easy. Nothing "actory" about his performance. I have seen his work before and he is a craftsman.

The opening sequence of the film draws you in. The actor playing Lt. Sullivan, Chris LaPanta, is another actor I have never heard of - He is measured, controlled, believable and real. His performance is subtle and nuanced. You feel his fatigue and empathy.

My only criticism is that the film is a bit long/slow in spots. That said, I will add this film to my list of films i will watch again to find new and interesting moments and gladly recommend. Well done.

I wasn't really sure what I was getting into when I sat down to watch this film. Sure I have had friends who have gone off and served our country but I never realized how much something like that could psychologically change you. An Act of War examines a man on the brink of his own destruction because of his lack of guidance after coming home to a thankless nation. This film heads to some dark places, but it feels justified. A solid amount of time is spent establishing who this man is to understand just how he could end up in the mindset he is in by the end of the film. And I have to say, its a fascinating ride from start to finish. I was quite impressed with the performance that Russ Russo gave. There is a great deal of subtlety in his work and his level of restraint is commendable. I'm very excited to see what he does in the future. If your a fan of films with a classic noir look, or if you want a film that really makes you question what society has accepted as truth then I highly recommend you give this film a chance.

A brilliant, greatly underrated flick. Deeply immersive with a high degree of psychological realism in the context of a gritty hyper-realistic noir. The director/writer evinces an uncommonly acute understanding of human nature. The interactions of the protagonist with the three main characters, all on the fringe of society, are fascinating. Well, two of the three, anyway. The third was just a rotten SOB. The twist and the end, though done many times before, works nicely and was entirely unanticipated by me. I did not detect a false note in the entire movie. If you are a fan of Paul Schrader's work, this is right up your alley. Mr. Kennedy has an intriguing vision and I sincerely hope he gets a chance to make another movie.