Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 6 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing
OpEdNews Op Eds    H2'ed 12/7/09

Brothers: A Film with Striking Resonance After Obama Pledges a Surge in Afghanistan

By       (Page 3 of 4 pages) Become a premium member to see this article and all articles as one long page.   2 comments
Follow Me on Twitter     Message Kevin Gosztola
Become a Fan
  (62 fans)

Most intense are the moments at the dinner table before and after Sam's deployment to Afghanistan. The camera hangs on every word, action, and facial expression of the characters clearly communicating the agony or stress of each of the characters. It reminds one of other successful films like American Beauty and Little Miss Sunshine, which employ the dinner scene to great effect.

The children, Isabelle and Maggie, tear at your heart especially when barely contain the anguish they are experiencing when they see that their father has lost the ability to interact with them like he did prior to deploying to Afghanistan.

During the winter scenes, in between intense outbursts by characters, the characters seem to be in a GAP commercial. There is an obvious disconnect between what is happening here and what is happening over there in Afghanistan and one can't help but understand why Sam may feel like he was in such a surreal setting when he returns home. (In fact, he winds up asking to return to Afghanistan because he doesn't think his family can ever understand.)

At the end of the film, the audience is left hanging on the words of Sam who is now receiving psychiatric treatment (or so it appears).

"They say only a dead man sees the end of war, says Sam. "Well, I have seen the end of war. The question is can I live again.

Perhaps, the family in this film---the Cahills---would say the question is can we ever live again. And, maybe the people of Afghanistan who captured Sam and the Afghanis Sam's unit fought against would say the question is can we ever live again.

When you think about what is happening with this Afghanistan War like that, when you really pay attention to the way that each character's life is impacted by war in this film, you really have to doubt the geopolitical agenda of America that Obama is carrying out on behalf of military and industrial interests in America.

Next Page  1  |  2  |  3  |  4

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).

Well Said 2   Touching 1   Interesting 1  
Rate It | View Ratings

Kevin Gosztola Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

Kevin Gosztola is managing editor of Shadowproof Press. He also produces and co-hosts the weekly podcast, "Unauthorized Disclosure." He was an editor for OpEdNews.com
Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Follow Me on Twitter     Writers Guidelines

 
Contact AuthorContact Author Contact EditorContact Editor Author PageView Authors' Articles
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter
Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

We Do Not Consent to Warrantless "Porno-Scanning" in Airports

How Private Prison Corporations Hope Arizona's SB1070 Will Lead to Internment Camps for Illegals

Do They Put Lipstick on Pigs at the Funny Farm?

Why the Battle Against TSA Groping and Body Scanners is Justified

Give Obama a Chance to Do What?

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend