2007, USA
Documentary, Drama, History, War
READ THE REVIEW AT The Desert Sun.
Extended version:
On Sept. 13, 2001, Tomas Young heeded his president's call to war. After five days in Iraq, he became paralyzed from a shot to the spine.
Phil Donahue directs and produces a film for the first time with the help of Ellen Spiro, creating the documentary Body of War to examine the life of this injured soldier -- a soldier who was told all of our troubles came from Afghanistan and yet was sent to Iraq. The more he watched the news deliver what he believed to be false information, the more he wanted to become a voice for other soldiers.
Bobby Muller of Veterans for America tells Young that it is important to put the gimp in the front of the parade, and there is some merit to using a tragedy to raise awareness. But the significance must be acknowledged. As the grieving Gold Star Mothers for Peace reach to him for comfort while anti-protestors shout hurtful words at him, Young realizes that being at the front has weighty consequences.
Not only is Young filmed while acting as a public figure, but more importantly his day-to-day complications are brought into full light. Shortly after being released from the hospital he got married, ultimately spending his honeymoon at Camp Casey (he and Cindy Sheehan's son were shot on the same day). Medical complications prevent the couple from fully expressing their love, and his wife slowly begins to represent a nurse more than a loved one. The stress of such a relationship is obviously overwhelming.
In a somewhat distant disconnect, the film is constantly interrupted by the House and Senate's vote on the Iraq War Resolution in October of 2002. Yes, this decision guided Young's fate, but viewing the vote in retrospect provides no new surprises. It is also presented disjointedly, as the tallied votes do not necessary follow the debate by the associated politician. Senator Robert Byrd is repeatedly highlighted for his loud opposition to the war, culminating in a meeting between Byrd and Young.
The purpose of the tally and talking heads is to show cause (the authorization for war) and effect (Young's injury), but a tighter focus should be discussed after such well-known facts are presented. Muller points out that Young is receiving insufficient health care; this would have been an interesting path to explore. The audience witnesses Young's medical regimen in graphic detail. Instead of lingering over what happened before soldiers went to Iraq, it would have been more appropriate to investigate what the government is doing for soldiers who have since returned in altered states.
Despite this distraction, it is refreshing to see a face put on the issue, and Young is brutally honest about every aspect of his life which has become affected by his new condition. The film will allow discussion amongst those who had previously viewed the war's effects from a distance.