Gone Elvis

This film does so much in such a short amount of time, giving us the story of a woman veteran in a way we haven't seen before. We might hear these stories as news bulletins, but now, seeing Olivia Stone and what she goes through in a single day, we are given real insight into her life and the lives of other women who serve our country. We feel fortunate to know her, and recognize the urgency of her need. Gone Elvis is beautifully told and the quality of the production, from the directing, the lighting and the wonderful actors is topnotch. I want to know more about this character and what happens to her. It would make a fabulous feature. Timely and important.

Saw this at the FilmColumbia Festival and was quite taken by its ability to address without melodrama the shame that is this country's negligence of its returning war vets. The director, a guy named David Newhoff, has taken a limited budget and skillfully turned it to his advantage. The result is a compelling fly-on-the-wall experience for the audience, one that lingers long after the final frame. Particular kudos go to the young woman (Carla Duren) who plays the lead. My assumption is that she's never served in the military but one certainly wouldn't get that from her portrayal of this homeless vet. Again, like the movie as a whole, she delivers a controlled performance, often letting a look or expression convey what would otherwise be overkill were it expressed in words. Bottom line: seek this film out, if at all possible.

"Gone Elvis" confronts the viewer with the bare and hopeless lives of those who have fought abroad for their country but whose country won't fight for them once they're back home. The short film follows one day in the life of Olivia Sloane, who served in Iraq, while her husband took off with her daughter, and who has nothing left now but her car, some worn clothes, and a handful of dollars. The terrors of war and the memories of sexual abuse by other soldiers haunt her, while she desperately tries to find a job and get her life back under control. Unfortunately, a mere "thank you for your service" by her fellow citizens won't pay her bills, and so there's little hope left.

That bare, hopeless life of fictional Sloane and thousands of veterans just like her in the real world is silently captured by the camera. No fancy shots or any other distractions except for the occasional soundtrack, whose melody is as haunting as the nightmares that Sloane carries around in her head. And as the day reaches its end, the camera withdraws and moves on - just like those who'd rather ignore the desperation of so many homeless veterans out there.

Watch "Gone Elvis", and you'll feel some of that desperation. And while you can crawl back into your comfy beds in your warm homes afterward, those veterans are still out there in the streets or in their cars. Alone and without hope. Maybe this quiet little film can make some noise, so go watch it, rent it, share it. It's the least you can do.

I agree totally with Karubj - "gone Elvis" needs to be made into a feature film. Excellent performances, particularly from lead Carla Duren. Newhoff's film is neither a heavy-handed political statement nor a cheap "support the troops" sticker. It is a stark look at the reality to which too many soldiers return after having put their lives on the line at the whim of our "leaders". Well shot, good soundtrack, realistic story and subtle, strong acting.

In the current economic malaise and this era of political grandstanding leading to stalemates for which the average citizen pays, "gone Elvis" is an important look at what our priorities are and should be. I strongly recommend this film.