Missing in America (2005)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Gabrielle Savage Dockterman

Writers:

Nancy L. Babine (writer)
Ken Miller (writer)

Genre:

Drama | War

Tagline:

You can leave war, but war will never leave you!

Plot:

A haunted Vietnam veteran (Danny Glover), living in exile in the forests of the Pacific Northwest...

Plot Keywords:

Living In Exile | Vietnam Veteran | Former Platoon Member | Life Changing Decision | Interracial Relationship

Cast

Danny Glover	...	Jake Neeley
Ron Perlman	...	Red
Linda Hamilton	...	Kate
Zoe Weizenbaum	...	Lenny Hocknell (as Zoë Weizenbaum)
David Strathairn	...	Henry R. Hocknell Jr.
Timothy Webber	...	Mitchell (as Tim Webber)
Gabrielle Rose	...	Cyd
Frank C. Turner	...	Dinky
Jesse Moss	...	Robert W. Gardner
Ty Olsson	...	Soldier
Colin Lawrence	...	Young Jake

Also Known As:

Woodcutter (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, some violence and language.

Runtime:

USA:102 min

Country:

USA | Canada

Language:

English | Vietnamese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG-13 | Australia:M | Netherlands:6

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Intrinsic Value Films

Trivia:

Was initially set for theatrical release in the fall of 2004 but was pushed back. It made its screen debut at the Seattle International Film Festival on 28 May and 30 May 2005.

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: When Jake visits The Vietnam Memorial Wall, Henry Hocknell Jr.'s name is up there. But Henry didn't die in Vietnam, he showed up at Jake's place with his daughter 35 years later, sick, but very much alive.

Quotes:

Lenny: I don't like you!
Jake: So what? I don't like me either.

Well conceived, compelling and heart rending film

I saw this film at the Woods Hole Film Festival in Falmouth MA. It is a first rate exploration of the long lasting damage from the Viet Nam war. This is the story of a Viet Nam vet living in the NW woods, isolated, alone and desirous of remaining so. One of the men from his troop shows up 30 years later, depositing his half-Vietnamese child and disrupting the vet's carefully orchestrated remove from the world. The child becomes, as expected, the catalyst for healing and renewal. So much for the conventional plot. What is unconventional is the depth of emotion, as well as honesty of the writing and the performances. This is a completely absorbing film that seduces and transfixes the audience with its strong but gentle sentiments. This should get a first run in theaters, and perhaps some nominations for writing, acting and cinematography. Danny Glover is perfect; Zoe Weizenbaum is a young woman to watch. An unforgettable film. Its images and story stay with you.