An Act of War

I'm going to be honest, this film starts off slow. Poster and trailer sucked me in, and wasn't really what I was expecting. Wasn't really in the mood to put my thinking cap on, as I thought it was going to me a mindless movie with some action and suspense. There was suspense, however the action was substituted with legitimate substance. Kind of a re-imagining of Taxi Driver, but as a lover of Taxi Driver(I saw it in the theater when it came out), I've always wished there was more out there like it. Film has some shortcomings, but you've got to give it your attention because the ending will have you wanting to see it again. Wish I would have bought the damn thing instead of renting on iTunes. Definitely worth 90 minutes of your time. This Russ Russo guy blew me away.

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 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.

Approximately 21 Iraq/Afghanistan war veterans commit suicide per day. Not really sure if anyone knows that there are more soldiers killed each day in America once they've returned home safe than were ever killed in Iraq/Afghanistan during the years of war. I started following these guys when I saw them giving an interview on Bloomberg raising awareness on PTSD, and was anxious to see the full film when it released a few days ago. I don't really write reviews, but felt compelled to for this one, because it needs to be seen, needs to be talked about, and something needs to be done about this issue, BOTTOMLINE. This film is a work of fiction, but is oh so true at its core. Powerful film from some young up and comers who should be be given a chance to do something bigger.

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.