This is a beautifully directed film by a talented first time filmmaker, and has one of the best soundtracks of any documentary ever produced (courtesy of the stellar songwriter Linda Perry). I cannot recall a film that had me tearing up at so many points with honest heartbreaking emotions. Many of the women portrayed in the film have dealt with seeing their comrades die in battle, and yet, they continue to soldier on, even to the point of competing in a sort of a "beauty pageant" towards the second half of the film.
What makes the film so extraordinary is the way that the women expose their raw inner feelings directly in complete honesty towards the camera. How a first-time filmmaker was able to connect so completely with her subjects is beyond comprehension.
At first glance, the poster and the title suggest a downer of a film. Nothing could be further from the truth, as the film is uplifting beyond comparison. In the current political climate, where so much blame is targeted towards foreign nationalities in the Middle East, this small band of women makes the best out of their devastating situations (several returning women vets are left homeless with children to raise) and they never seem to have a complaint, nor do they blame it on any foreign race, religion, or dogma. There are moments that seem surreal in the way their lives have taken such hard knocks, but the fact that they continue to face difficulty with brave smiles and positive attitudes shows how unbelievably strong women soldiers can be.
This film should be on everyone's list come Oscar time. I don't understand how lesser projects seem to attract more attention than one with so much heart as this is. Probably connections have something to do with that, but if everyone would suspend their prejudice towards documentaries and watch this film, you will not be disappointed. You will be uplifted.
What makes the film so extraordinary is the way that the women expose their raw inner feelings directly in complete honesty towards the camera. How a first-time filmmaker was able to connect so completely with her subjects is beyond comprehension.
At first glance, the poster and the title suggest a downer of a film. Nothing could be further from the truth, as the film is uplifting beyond comparison. In the current political climate, where so much blame is targeted towards foreign nationalities in the Middle East, this small band of women makes the best out of their devastating situations (several returning women vets are left homeless with children to raise) and they never seem to have a complaint, nor do they blame it on any foreign race, religion, or dogma. There are moments that seem surreal in the way their lives have taken such hard knocks, but the fact that they continue to face difficulty with brave smiles and positive attitudes shows how unbelievably strong women soldiers can be.
This film should be on everyone's list come Oscar time. I don't understand how lesser projects seem to attract more attention than one with so much heart as this is. Probably connections have something to do with that, but if everyone would suspend their prejudice towards documentaries and watch this film, you will not be disappointed. You will be uplifted.