The Iraq War draws up a controversy between right and wrong, patriotism and the U.S. position in foreign affairs. Many struggles go unnoticed by blind-sighted Americans, though CNN continues to report on the situation. Without a doubt, young individuals will appreciate Kimberly Pierce and MTV Films’ decision to step out of traditional boundaries with a soldier’s realistic point of view in the new motion picture, Stop-Loss.
Sgt. Brandon King (Ryan Philippe) is a captivating Army squad leader from the small town Brazos, TX. Along with his loyal best friend, Sgt. Steve Shriver (Channing Tatum), the heroes return to their homes after touring in Iraq. The small town welcomes the duo as well as other military officers with a friendly Americana attitude. In hopes to finally pursue a normal civilian life, the boys battle personal issues such as recovering from the war, rebuilding relationships and moving ahead. The boys share a close bond with a young woman named Michele (Abbie Cornish), who is Steve’s fiancée. Michele’s character glistens as a typical soldier’s lover, struggling with the new duties of an army wife. King and Michele’s friendship strengthens as he tries to remedy his soldier’s injuries, physically and psychologically.
The reality of a successful post-war life comes to a devastating halt as the U.S. Army, for another tour, pushes King back into Iraq against his will. The U.S, government acknowledges his previous commitments, however they grasp the young soldier’s devotion tighter without any other option. King goes AWOL or Absent Without Official Leave, and runs away from the commitments of a system he once risked his life for.
The challenges in Stop-Loss will enchant every individual’s perspective, regardless if the person is for or against the Iraq War. Most importantly, the movie raises awareness of the aftermath of the soldiers’ lives and the controversy of the commitments the U.S. government fails to uphold to veterans. Pierce’s motion picture is a remarkable example of tackling the debatable duties of the common good.
In reality, over 80,000 American soldiers’ lives are affected by the term of “stop-loss.” In short, the term is defined as retaining soldiers in active duty for an extended period after their contract expired with the military.