Watch Stateside

Stateside is a 2004 drama/romance film directed by Reverge Anselmo, starring Jonathan Tucker, Rachael Leigh Cook, and Agnes Bruckner. The movie tells a story of love and loss, set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War and the turbulent 1960s in America. The film begins with a scene in a military hospital in Vietnam, where a young soldier named Mark Deloach (Jonathan Tucker) is undergoing treatment after being seriously injured in combat. Mark is a troubled young man who has had a difficult upbringing, and he finds solace in music and writing. During his recovery, he meets a beautiful and talented singer named Dori Lawrence (Agnes Bruckner), who is performing at the hospital for the troops. Mark is immediately drawn to Dori's voice and her warmth, and the two strike up a friendship that soon develops into a deep and passionate romance.

Meanwhile, back in the United States, a young girl named Sue (Rachael Leigh Cook) is struggling to find her place in the world. Sue comes from a wealthy family and has had every opportunity in life, but she feels unfulfilled and restless. She decides to volunteer at a local VA hospital, where she meets Wylie (Joe Mantegna), a Vietnam veteran who has been left paralyzed by the war. Sue is deeply affected by Wylie's suffering, and she begins to question the values and priorities of her privileged upbringing.

As Mark and Dori's romance blossoms, they must confront the harsh realities of war and the toll it takes on their relationship. Mark is haunted by his experiences in combat, and he struggles to communicate his feelings to Dori. Dori, meanwhile, is torn between her love for Mark and her dreams of becoming a successful singer. The two must navigate their way through these challenges, all while trying to hold on to their love for one another.

Back in the US, Sue's growing admiration for the veterans she meets at the hospital leads her to become involved in anti-war activism. She attends a protest rally where she meets Mark's father, Colonel Deloach (Ed Begley Jr.), a strict military man who is appalled by Sue's views. Sue is undeterred by his disapproval, however, and she becomes increasingly committed to the cause.

As the war continues to rage on and both Mark and Sue become more deeply involved in the anti-war movement, the fate of their relationships and their futures become uncertain. Stateside is a powerful and deeply affecting portrayal of love, loss, and the impact of war on the human experience.