Watch Stand Down Soldier
- NR
- 2015
- 1 hr 21 min
-
6.6 (21)
Stand Down Soldier is a poignant drama film released in 2014 that sheds light on the harsh realities of war and its impact on soldiers and their families. It's a story of love, loss, and redemption that will leave you emotionally moved. The movie opens with an army sergeant Damien Carter (played by T'Shaun Barrett) returning home from his deployment in Afghanistan on leave. Upon arrival, he realizes that his wife, Sierra (played by Tai Bennett), is struggling to cope with the challenges of raising their daughter alone. She is also dealing with depression and anxiety that resulted from an incident that occurred years ago.
Damien soon discovers that Sierra has been keeping a dark secret from him, which threatens to tear their family apart. The revelation of this secret leads to tension between the couple, and Damien has to confront his own feelings of anger and betrayal.
Through a series of flashbacks, we see Damien's experiences in Afghanistan and how theyâve impacted his mental and emotional state. We also see the bond he shares with his fellow soldiers, including his best friend Bobby (played by Jahmilla Jackson) and their commanding officer (played by Sharon Brathwaite).
As the story unfolds, we see Damien struggle to adjust to civilian life and help his wife overcome her inner demons. He is also dealing with his own trauma from the war, which manifests in the form of nightmares and violent outbursts.
The film portrays the struggles of veterans who return home after serving in a war zone and try to resume their normal lives. We see how their experiences have changed them and the challenges they face trying to readapt. We also see the impact war has on soldiers' families, who must learn to live without their loved ones for long periods and are left to pick up the pieces when they return.
Stand Down Soldier also highlights the issue of mental health in the armed forces and the lack of support given to soldiers. Through Damien's character, we see the difficulties soldiers face seeking help for mental health issues and the stigma surrounding it.
The film's direction by Jeryl Prescott Sales is impressive, and the cinematography by Kevin Murphy is visually pleasing. The acting is also excellent, with T'Shaun Barrett delivering a powerful performance as Damien. Tai Bennett is equally impressive as Sierra, depicting the struggles of her character with a raw vulnerability that is heart-wrenching.
Overall, Stand Down Soldier is a must-watch film that tells an important story with sensitivity and depth. Itâs a movie that invites reflection and creates awareness of the struggles of soldiers and their families. The film's message is that it's okay to ask for help and that seeking support is strength, not weakness.
Stand Down Soldier is a 2015 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 21 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.