(Thank you for serving)
This is a war reflection film adapted from the works of the same name by the famous American documentary writer David Finkel. The main characters in the film all have real life prototypes, telling the difficult process of the four soldiers reintegrating into normal life after returning from the battlefield in Iraq. The storyline is very ordinary, not the kind of classic war movie with a lot of blood and blood. Rather, it took a different approach and uncovered the psychological trauma that war has brought to countless soldiers from the most approachable point of view. I have to admire the mastery of telling stories by old American artists. When it comes to war, there are people who talk about people (saving Private Ryan), some who talk about horses (war horses), and some who talk about dogs (War Dog Rex). There were those who won the battle (the bloody battle against the hacksaw ridge), and the ones who defeated the battle (Dunkirk). There are narratives from the positive perspective (lone survivor), and some narrates from the negative perspective (Iwo Jima's letter). There are drama films (fury) and absurd films (unscrupulous miscellaneous army). In short, you can find your favorite war films from any angle, any type, and any subject.
This film does not talk about the war head-on, but reveals the nightmare caused by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to soldiers after the end of the war. After a battle of life and death was over, people always lamented how happy it is to come back alive. But after glory, it brings a heavier psychological burden. It is more cruel and bloody than the life-and-death struggle on the battlefield. The film uses constant conflicts and contradictions to highlight the psychological shadows and bizarre behaviors brought to the soldiers by war and death. Billy, the handsome boy soldier, returned home and found his fiancée ran away from home, all the furniture was removed, the phone was not answered, and he could only sleep on the floor of the layman. After spending the night with his comrades the next day, Billy couldn't bear the blow of the love breakup. He shot himself directly at the office of his fiancee. The reality is so cruel and ruthless. A steel warrior who has experienced 7 roadside bombs without being killed, but because of the departure of his lover, he instantly broke himself. Another soldier from American Samoa, Thoreau, suffered amnesia and hallucinations due to the aftereffects of the bomb blast. He couldn't even remember the day of the day and the day of the week. Often beat and smash in front of the pregnant wife. He was racially discriminated against by superior officers because he was not a native American citizen, and he could not get a certificate of injury on the battlefield, so he could not enjoy the corresponding treatment. Delivering drugs to the underworld in desperation, almost died. This is really a pungent irony. The artillery fire was full of bullets, dying. He returned to a peaceful environment but was chased by his compatriots because his wife was late for delivery. The protagonist Adam, who has three medals of military merit, also wants to work hard to integrate into his normal life, but his unintentional mistakes on the battlefield caused the maiming and sacrifice of his comrades, so he often blamed himself deeply and carried a heavy ideological burden. Can't make love normally, can't take good children, see the rubbish on the side of the road and think it is a roadside bomb. Wearing night vision goggles when hunting at night is like going back to the night of Iraq. As a result, many suicidal thoughts occurred. In short, the soldiers who returned from the battlefield were tortured by the PTSD symptoms and made life worse than death. The film uses a lot of details to portray the psychological state of the characters. The protagonist Adam got up early the next morning to make breakfast for his family. Because of the time difference, it was 4 pm Iraq time, but he thought he was up late (interesting details). She also deliberately fried chocolate pancakes for her daughter. I wanted to wait for my daughter's praise, but my daughter said, I don't like chocolate, stupid dad! Adam realized that because of the prolonged war (3 applications), he lacked a lot of his family. The daughter scolded his father, which also shows that because his father is not at home for a long time, the children are unfamiliar and disrespectful to his father. When watching a car race with their wife, the two talked in a loud noise atmosphere. Straightly shoot the silhouette and back of two people. It implies that the protagonist's mentality is always in an impetuous and unstable state, the two cannot communicate directly, and there is a psychological barrier. The protagonist Adam secretly hides the medical records of the hospital for PTSD in the kitchen. It shows that the husband has been reluctant to tell his wife the negative news, and has been unable to confide in his wife normally. Even the lover who gets along day and night does not know that he has won three medals. Adam was originally a good husband, but it was the war that made him different from ordinary people. Let the audience feel the torture and distortion of human nature caused by war from these details, and sigh how beautiful and warm peace is.
In addition to the tragic personal battlefield experience that is the factor in the formation of PTSD, the film also exposes that the bureaucracy and indifference of the US government system is a major factor in the deterioration of PTSD. Although the dignified Veterans Affairs Department has a reputation, all kinds of prevarication, lack of resources, and social indifference make retired veterans at a loss what to do. A lot of details in the film are well prepared. In the office building of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The serial number display on the wall indicates that there are hundreds of people lining up to apply for assistance every day. Veterans applying for assistance are old and young; their skin color varies from black to white; their injuries vary from severe to mild, with both trauma and internal injuries. It shows the huge economic burden and deep psychological trauma that the continuous war has brought to the American society. I finally got to the window and was told that I didn't do it here, and I should go to the second floor. Indirectly tells us that there is no complete and clear notice and guidance service here, and the purpose of serving the veterans is just display. Because he was not a native American citizen and had a dark skin, the white officer sitting in his office with a sense of superiority said that he refused to issue Thoreau’s battlefield injury certificate. In this way, he will not be able to receive the disability subsidy, which will have a major impact on his future life. Indirectly caused him to transport drugs for the underworld, not only went astray in life, but also almost died. In addition to these, it takes 5 to 6 months to receive the retirement subsidy after completing the procedures. It takes several months to queue up to treat PTSD. As a result, a large number of veterans have worsened the situation, their mental illnesses have become more and more serious, and their behavior control ability has become worse and worse. Through the words of military officers, the audience learned that an average of 22 veterans in the United States committed suicide in one day. It's really shocking.
Fortunately, the film gave a bright ending. The government's medical care and social care are only one aspect of the cure of PTSD. As the psychiatrist who treated Adam warned, no medicine can cure PTSD. The best treatment is to show a strong will to survive on the battlefield and clarify the purpose of survival. To untie the bell, you have to tie the bell. Only by finding your own knot and relying on the joint efforts of yourself and the society can you get rid of the nightmare in your heart. The situation on the battlefield was critical in Iraq. Adam accidentally made a mistake and caused his injured comrade Emery to fall from the stairs, causing serious brain damage. This incident is an important cause of his PTSD. He finally plucked up the courage to drive alone to visit this Emery. On the contrary, Emery not only did not blame him, but was also very grateful that Adam did not abandon him, and did his best to pull him back down the stairs from the battlefield in the fateful fight. Although Emery was paralyzed and unable to take care of himself, he still said cheerfully, "This is not alive, but it is alive after all." Every day, he is grateful for life, and live as positive and motivated as possible. Adamu was infected by Emery's positive attitude. The two drank and raced together and complained to each other in the setting sun of a villa in the suburbs. The picture at this moment is very warm, reminding me of a Chinese lyrics: The most beautiful but the sunset is red, warm and calm... As soon as the heart knot gate is opened, the torrent of emotions will flow down. Adam went to Dorst’s widow’s house again to tell about the process of Dorst’s indirect sacrifice for himself, and was understood and enlightened by Dorst’s widow. She said sincerely that this was what Dorst should do, and encouraged Adam to live strong. This is worthy of Dorst's heroic sacrifice. It can be seen that social tolerance and understanding are also an indispensable external condition for curing PTSD. After being relieved by the probation, Adam Mosai made a decisive decision and gave his PTSD medical quota to his comrade Thoreau, letting him fly far away, that is, he can avoid the underworld chase and kill, and he can treat PTSD in a timely manner. He returned to his wife and children with a new mentality and firm spirit. At this time, the wife and daughter were decorating the room in the new home they had just moved into, and the sunlight was very warm through the window screens. It means that their family will have a new and happy life. The bright image of Adam is thus warmly and truly established at the end of the film.
A good film not only brings people the enjoyment of art, but also makes people think and reflect. Since the founding of the Republic, there have been many wars, large and small. Since the reform and opening up, as the Republic's political, economic and military strength continues to grow and the international political landscape has undergone tremendous changes, the superpowers and surrounding imps have gradually ceased all kinds of wars. Although the Chinese dynasty has been 30 years away from the war, the destruction and distortion of the human soul caused by the war is equally ruthless and cruel to any country and nation. The traditional ethics and ideology unique to the Chinese dynasty are treated with cold eyes on the psychological harm caused by the war to the people. It is believed that soldiers who have been educated in the spirit of not being afraid of hardship and not afraid of death are fearless and go forward bravely, and there can be no psychological problems at all. If it does, it is greedy for life and fear of death. For a long time this kind of ostrich thinking has concealed how many actual PTSD phenomena existed. In recent years, many literary and artistic works have begun to disclose this. For example, He Xiaoping of (Fanghua) and Guzidi of (Assembly No.) are actually victims of PTSD. Even in peaceful times, various emergencies and personal entanglements will bring hidden dangers to PTSD. What we see is only the tip of the iceberg. Think about the recent two ginseng veterans who have used various excuses to gather sentient beings, which greatly shocked the stability of the heavenly dynasty. This hidden rebellious mentality can also be traced psychologically. What brings us hope and surprise is the establishment of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs to promote the birth, old age, illness and death of veterans to the national level to coordinate the layout and resolution. This is a great boon for the 50 million veterans of the Republic. Judging from the description of the movie (Thank you for your service), it is not enough to put up the (Veterans Affairs Department) sign. Solving the various problems of veterans depends on the long-term support of strong national power and the understanding and tolerance of the whole society. But after all, the Republic has taken a new step in historical significance!
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