Blu-ray Movie Reviews

Shipped out to Afghanistan; Sam is presumed dead when his Black Hawk helicopter is shot down in the mountains. At home in suburbia, the Cahill family suddenly faces a shocking void, and Tommy tries to fill in for his brother by assuming newfound responsibility for himself, Grace and the children. But Sam is not dead; he and a fellow soldier have been captured by Taliban fighters. In Afghanistan's harsh, remote Pamir Mountains, Sam is subjected to traumas that threaten to rob him of his very humanity. At the same time that Sam's sense of self is being destroyed overseas, Tommy's self-image is strengthening at home. And in the grief and strangeness of their new lives, Grace and Tommy are naturally drawn together. Their longstanding frostiness dissolves, but both are frightened and ashamed of the mutual attraction that has replaced it.

Despite the brilliant cast, I wasn’t that interested in seeing this one. The trailers made it look a bit too predictable and I’ve grown a bit weary of seeing the same movie over and over again. Thankfully, this one was not the cookie cutter I thought it was. The story takes a powerful look at the drama that unfolds at home and overseas with our military and the situations they find themselves in. The acting in this film is terrific and you’d be hard pressed not to get caught up in the emotional twists throughout the film. A powerful drama that deserves to be seen! Also of note, the older daughter in this film turns in one of the best performances I’ve seen this year with amazing nuance and emotion. I’m surprised it has been overlooked considering her age and the gravity of the role. I hope we see more of her!

Lionsgate delivers a solid presentation all around for this one. The image has a very contrasty look to it with exceptional blacks and shadow detail. Fine object detail is excellent in tight shots, but some of the longer shots can look a tad soft. Colors are a bit muted and the photography balances the mood of the film perfectly. The DTS-HD mix has its moments, especially in the military sequences, and also does a great job with the mood and atmosphere. The sound design captures the impending issues and balances the mood perfectly.

Extras include a feature commentary with the director and a look at recreating this film for the American audiences.

A very powerful film with incredible performances all the way around. I’m glad I gave this one a chance on Blu-ray and given a solid recommendation for those who love touching drama.