Love in Country (2023) User Reviews

Ambitious

[errant-52785 · 5/10 · 24 January 2024]

Look, this is not necessarily well made. Or well acted. It is very low budget and it shows. It was very ambitious, but its reach exceeded its grasp. Very different kind of gay story, and pretty moving despite its obvious limitations. I give it a 6 or 6.5 out of 10 for the effort. With a budget, and in the right hands, this could really be something big and classic, an award winner. I give the director and everyone else involved kudos for trying.

The 600 minimum character restriction on review is so ridiculous. Sometimes there aren't six hundred characters to share about a movie or a show. I understand the reasoning and the need for it, but 600 is way too high.

Promises more than it delivers

[charlescuthbertson · 4/10 · 26 March 2024]

The concept of a movie about a Gay relationship during the Vietnam war could have been quite interesting - however, this doesn't really deliver anything all that well.

Given the Vietnam war is probably the most film documented war in modern history, then the gamble to film it in a temperate leafy woodland did not give the impression this was taking part in the jungles of Vietnam (and lets also skip over the small brick built buildings). It is clearly low budget & it shows.

That could be forgiven if the narrative had been strong & compelling, but sadly the dialogue was cliched and delivered by the actors like they'd just read it 5 minutes before the camera rolled. Sadly everything about this movie was as cliched as it could get. For a film that is two hours long there was so little development of the characters they just came across as one dimensional caricatures. Because of that I felt no connection to them whatsoever. The primary characters were little more than a check-list of types from the psychotic captain to the homophobic Italian.

The gay pairing came across as little more than best buddies, but we knew they were gay because everyone else in the film kept telling us they were - oh, and the snogged a little bit. Of course, with a film like this the inevitable was always gonna happen, one of them gets fatally wounded but his buddy, sorry lover slings him over his shoulder and runs through the enemy fire only for him to die on the helicopter.

At times I struggled to keep up with the war narrative itself, it didn't flow as easily as it needed to & at times I found myself wondering what was actually happening.

I didn't hate it but it didn't feel like an original idea (at least in the depiction of the war stuff) with every well worn cliche that hindsight has come to make us realise about the Vietnam war being thrown in - sorry, but I cringed at the Gay moral hero scene. That was a modern mindset stitched into a 60's character.

To give it some credit, at times the cinematography was good - I especially liked the way the last scene was shot as he scattered his lover's ashes onto the paddy field.

Love in Country

[CinemaSerf · 4/10 · 6 August 2023]

Whilst this may be based on a true scenario, and there may well be an underlying critique on the intolerance of the US military towards anyone who wasn't a white, heterosexual, man during the Vietnam War (and in many other conflicts) that's no excuse for taking the story of these brave men and turning it into this. David Garber ("Sgt. Alexander") and Michael Southworth ("Sgt. Reese") are charged with leading a secret CIA mission whilst facing opposition from their tenacious enemy and, as the two men come to terms with their own sexuality, with their colleague's attitude to that - all whilst under fire and in hostile terrain. The narrative here is all over the place. The lacklustre direction and soporific score; the really mediocre writing and the stilted acting all contribute to what is essentially a throughly unremarkable piece of cinema that seems to have no idea who it is for, or what it is trying to say - beyond the bleeding (quite literally) obvious. Most films from this theatre of war depict tragedy and brutality - but most do it far more cogently than this insipid melodrama that uses a gay angle to the story to thinly disguise a poor piece of wartime story-telling. It can't have had much of a budget and much of it looks like it was filmed in someone's back yard. It probably was, and maybe they could just stick to showing it there, too. Very poor.

What a pity

[HathB · 1/10 · 7 March 2023]

I was really looking forward to this film after reading the synopsis, but have to say it was very disappointing. The acting is just awful. The sets are terrible - it looks like it was filmed in a Californian park, certainly nowhere near the jungles of Vietnam! And while the plot had potential, the script was so laughably bad that the whole movie just came off as ridiculous and unbelievable.

The premise of a gay-themed war movie is such a good idea, with the potential to create a real masterpiece, with the same depth and nuance of, say, Brokeback Mountain. Sadly, Love in Country comes nowhere near that. What a pity.

Just a terrible film all around

[Caribtony · 2/10 · 17 April 2023]

I gave it a chance. There were good reviews on here which is why I watched. WHY? It was horrible! Reminded me of a really, really, really bad version of Yossi & Jagger. No character development of the two main actors.... I couldn't even tell who they were at times. Poor crappy CGI effects. From the first few minutes I could tell this was filmed locally in some woods. If I wanted to watch a Vietnam field I'd watch Apocalypse Now. One or two scenes does not make it LGBT. Still don't what the movie was all about. Really. It had potential, and could have a LGBT movie with the Vietnam War as the background - I don't think there is any such movie.

Beautifully shot and scored, Would Have Benefited from a Higher budget

[blakeberrins · 7/10 · 3 February 2023]

There is a lot of great cinematography in this film and the score was really great, these can specifically be seen in the landscape and aerial shots and the final closing scene and the scene with the monk in the woods. The story is compelling but could have used something more, possibly if this production had a higher budget as it does feel a bit on the low budget end. Especially with the gunfire and explosions not looking real. But I did find myself rooting for the characters although I did get a bit lost with what happened with the mission and what the rouge captain was doing at the end of the battle. But overall I felt the relationship between the two lead characters was very genuine.

Too ambitious for its own good

[Remy_Azhary · 1/10 · 22 June 2023]

I was really looking forward to this movie after it was highly recommended on YouTube's Rainbow Mood channel and along with the many rave reviews about it, I was bought into it.

But having watched it, I take my words back. I was utterly disappointed. I can't believe I'd wasted 2 hours on this.

I mean it may not be as epic or moving as Saving Private Ryan or Platoon; which I didn't expect it to be. Nor do I expect it to be as groundbreaking or emotional as Brokeback Mountain. I just don't feel anything for any of the characters. Let alone the gay romance between the two leads. When I watch a gay-themed movie I'd like to have that attachment to the romance stuck in my mind for hours, even days, after watching it. But this one just didn't do it. The acting was wooden and forced. The characters didn't feel "organic" to say the least for me to feel anything for them. The chemistry among the actors are as good as beginners in an acting class.

As for the two lead gay gay characters, maybe I might have overlooked it, but there was no background about them for me to feel anything for them. It's like they were there out of the blue.

To be set during the Vietnam war with a gay romance as its central theme is quite a huge feat in itself. Not to mention, monumentously ambitious. But in the end, it fell flat. I can understand that even with the title card at the end saying that they could be/were such love story during the war, it still doesn't convince me anything genuine about this movie at all.

Imagine the romance between Jack and Rose with Titanic as its backdrop except the Vietnam War with romance between two soldiers. In an alternate universe, given the right script and direction, perhaps it could work. But everything about this one just didn't feel right.

Granted I may not know the intel about the war and I can just take it wholeheartedly and assume that the characters knew what they were talking in terms of the military strategies. Yet even with the cinematography and gunfires and helicopters flying, the setting for Vietnam just felt somewhat too "clean and pristine".

Realistic LGBT story of love and war

[randallcline · 10/10 · 4 March 2023]

Love in Country is much more than a war movie or a film about forbidden gay love. It successfully presents complex characters in an intriguing plot, good action, and beautiful original music.

Amidst the horrors of the Vietnam war, two men become involved in a relationship and physical attraction not allowed in the U. S. army. Tender scenes reveal the soldiers' moments of passion without overemphasis on their physical acts of love.

With exemplary performances by the leading actors, the film makes viewers feel that they are watching real events in 1968 Vietnam. A variety of personalities and qualities in the lead characters creates a definite check-off list for "like" or "dislike." Memorable performance by Elijah Olachea as "Burd." All the supporting actors brought a realism to their characters.

Love in Country is definitely worth seeing more than once.

Impressive

[kjs1144 · 7/10 · 19 February 2023]

Love in Country is an extremely ambitious film. Set in Vietnam, the story follows a small group of soldiers during the war. The movie centers specifically on two army sergeants who fall in love with each other. The cinematography was well done especially during the many scenes in the forests and the night scenes. I did think that the visual effects of some of the smoke explosions and bullet hits came across as low budget, however I was extremely impressed with the set design throughout, there was one scene outside a house and there were multiple fires burning. Overall an impressive and ambitious movie, for sure.

Low budget war movie meets broke back mountain

[jeffmiguez · 3/10 · 2 February 2023]

Not sure the audience this was intended for? Not for your typical heterosexual masculine war buff moviegoers unless you don't mind watching men kissing in the battlefield mixed with an obvious low budget cgi action sequences, bullets that are blurs of smoke-like cgi. The story line leaves you wondering 'why did that just happen, did I miss something?'

The actors lines seem unscripted and awkward, the disjointed scenes seem entirely built an attempt to emulate major blockbuster Vietnam war movies

The director said "okay your going to be shot try to make it look like platoon"

Not worth it Watch a van Damme or segal movie instead.

The story keeps you barely entertained wondering what will happen next then you realize you could of watched a much better war movie.

Fantastic and beautifully shot film

[jedijimmy101 · 9/10 · 14 March 2023]

From the start I was drawn in by the cinematography. I was very impressed with the production value and effects. The actors all did a fantastic job bringing their roles to life in such a way that we feel for them along their journey. The fight scenes all worked but never got in the way of the story. I have never seen a Vietnam or war film with this take before and I commend the filmmakers for taking a risk and doing something that I don't believe has ever been done before. In the age of constant remakes, sequels, and spin offs it was refreshing to see something new. I highly recommend this film to anyone looking for a good watch.

Wooden, boring, opportunistic

[adansantos · 1/10 · 17 June 2023]

What an honestly dreadful movie. An utter disappointment. The acting is atrocious. These people couldn't act to save their lives. The shoe horned in "gay" part felt gratuitous just not believable at all. The directing was also not up to par, with scenes dragging on for too long and not enough happening to keep my interest. The cgi seems to have been made by a windows 95 PC. All of these could be forgiven, if it didn't reek of hack job. Of course, all the family and friends of people involved in it, would have you believe that their 10/10 reviews are honest!

Don't waste your money or time on this god awful turkey.

Sad, but beautifully done

[lauries-4 · 9/10 · 22 February 2023]

This movie has a creative plot, haunting music, and is well-acted. The set design, costuming, sound editing, and storyline are all very nicely done. The LGBTQ theme is subtle but heart breaking. This movie makes you think and discuss for hours afterward about what it was like to be a soldier in Vietnam...in particular a gay soldier. The ending really brings to light some of the elements of war that are never really brought to light, including cruelty among the two sides, but also within the ranks. Even the antagonist has a back story that helps the viewer get a glimpse of why he may be the way he is.

A new take on a vietnam war film

[RBIves-202-725352 · 9/10 · 2 March 2023]

Love in Country takes a real life event from the vietnam war and puts a fictionalized spin on things in a way that feels thoughtful and fresh. The filmmakers skirt around the fact that there is a whole war going on out there that we don't see much of, by focusing on a small group with a kee mission. There are a few factors involved that lead us to think this effort may be doomed from the start. There is some light racism lurking, a new captain who right away seems a tad unhinged, and the elephant in the room.... Two of the men in this company are in love.

Once those pieces are set, we're ready to set off on a journey of brotherhood and trust which will end with everyone questioning right and wrong, and how far someone will go to hold on to their morals.

Lots of nice cinematography in some picturesque locales. Authentic fight scenes and some classic war battles keep things interesting.

Heartfelt Love in the Midst of Volatile Uncertainty

[ebradfordwest · 10/10 · 25 February 2023]

At the heart of this film is a love story between two soldiers decades before being able to serve openly in the military. It is a heartfelt representation of probably 1,000's of soldiers who were not only coming of age as men, (the average age of Vietnam soldiers was 19) but finding their own sexual identity. With the backdrop of an increasingly senseless and unwinnable war, the film captures the heartbreaking consequences of love in the midst of volatile uncertainty. The two actors playing the young star crossed Sergeants bring a believable depth and anguish to their relationship in a time when even acknowledging their feelings could be just as threatening as the war around them.

One to Keep in your Collection

[mzakich · 10/10 · 31 January 2023]

Love in Country is filmed up close and personal. The characters are believable. Some you want to like & some you want to hate. At a time of such horror and political discord in Vietnam and the world, it's a lovely thought to know there was love in the midst of such turmoil. The love story is tender, loving and believable. Way before "Don't ask Don't Tell" The truth that there were so many gay men (and women) having the guts to live their true feelings took immense bravery, at the risk of losing everything and facing discharge, this movie doesn't hold back. The music is beautiful and right on for this type of film. This is one to purchase and keep in your LGBTQ collection.

War Action LGBTQ Romance

[richardrgayton · 10/10 · 28 February 2023]

This film is totally unlike anything you have seen before about the Vietnam War. The story feature two men in love fighting a combat mission with a powerful ensemble performance by six young actors. There are strong action sequences shot in rice fields, forrests and rivers. The music is by Randy Miller which drives the thrilling tragic war romance tones. This genre has been done for standard straight romance many times but never featuring LGBT characters. Costumes and weapons are all from 1968 period. Carefully drawn, well acted characters and beautiful photography makes this a compelling, moving experience.

An Irrecoverable Love Story

[mtsinara · 8/10 · 2 April 2023]

The film follows an Army squad on the battlefield in 1968 during the Vietnam War. The story is told with a lot less fanfare than typical war movies, yet it is quite effective in its approach as the soldiers become the main focus. Each member of the squad gives memorable performances, and two lieutenants are uncommonly portrayed as being in love.

The secret mission the squad eventually undertakes benefits the U. S. military. Yet, the sense that no good ever comes from war, only tragedy and sorrow, is deeply felt as the devastating loss of life eventually ensues. I highly recommend this film for its magnificent portrayal of the many losses associated with war.

Great Indy war film

[stevengriffin-39242 · 9/10 · 2 May 2023]

Went into this film not expecting too much, but was very pleasantly surprised. The film offered a different view on the war in Vietnam than what we are normally used to seeing. The acting was very good especially from the special forces character. I felt he really gave you an inside look at the mindset of someone in that position during that horrible time. The only real cons of the movie were the special effects like the bullets and the explosions, you could definitely tell they were CGI, but this is expected due to the low budget on the film. I would have like to have seen more aerial fighting as well with the choppers using their weapons against the enemy during the transporting of the soldiers during the battle. I feel that overall even with the budget, this film was holds up to some of the other great Vietnam war films with a much bigger budget, mainly in part due to the script, production and acting throughout the film.

Energized portrayal of

[jerrymcgrathart · 10/10 · 30 April 2023]

This refreshing Indie film is why I love the genre so much. A heartfelt story with great set and locations (it's as if I could feel the humidity in the jungle) along with some exceptional acting. I was drawn into the lives of the tiny squad, found myself wanting the best for each of them, especially Doc!

Essentially, it's the story of two marginalized brave soldiers and a crazy Captain on the front lines during the Vietnam War. The two soldiers only "crime" was that they were in love with each other. Most of this story takes place during a 5 day period. This was well worth the purchase price, I've watched it several times-THANKS FILMMAKERS!

Manly man to man love in war....

[ohlabtechguy · 8/10 · 23 April 2024]

Saw this free on Tubi...didn't expect much, but was very satisfied with this production. The cinematography, acting and script were all good. I didn't find the openness of the gay love story credible, but it didn't matter. The theme of acceptance under harsh conditions and the sheer power of love are fundamental to the human psyche. We didn't get to see how the two gay soldiers formed an unbreakable, romantic bond, under such unlikely circumstances. Instead we are introduced to their characters after their relationship has already evolved. So we don't get any insights into how they were able to overcome social and military stigmas around gay men. One of my favorite scenes was when the helicopters rescued them. The script, the acting...the emotional pain and responses all resonated with realness.