We found this to be a solid, engaging and moving documentary. Not expecting much, we quickly got sucked in. It felt as though we were watching a home movie. It is at times amateurish, while at the same time has been so well-constructed. Anyone with an interest in either the Vietnam war or how a loss can have far-reaching effects on a family will love this story. From the filmmakers mother to her father's comrades, everyone has been affected by an event that happened years ago. The interviews with her mother are worth the rental. We were really impressed with the courage that it must have taken to complete this picture. Any lack of production value is more than made up with solid, in-depth interviews and an intriguing storyline. Highly recommended.
2 Reviews
Compelling Documentary
hupfons529 November 2006
Warning: Spoilers
This is an emotionally charged documentary. It shows the effects of unresolved grief on family and close friends, a daughter's quest to know the father whose presence she missed throughout her childhood and early adult years, and in a more subtle way the consequences of political decisions during wartime.
The Vietnam War movie WE WERE SOLDIERS showed the initial shock and grief that wives experienced when they received the tragic news of the death of their husbands. This film shows the delayed effects of how that grief and loss can impact family, friends, and other veterans who knew the one who was killed.
One theme that others didn't mention relates directly to the title of the film. The phrase "Be good, smile pretty" came from one of the love letters sent by Lieutenant Droz to his wife when he was in Vietnam. Those same words become almost haunting to the wife who struggles with tremendous grief over the loss of her beloved and the lingering bittersweet memories of a love that was so cherished and so suddenly and harshly extinguished.
The story is NOT just about the loss of life during the Vietnam War. It's universal to all human loss during wartime, terrorist killings, and other such traumatic events.
The Vietnam War movie WE WERE SOLDIERS showed the initial shock and grief that wives experienced when they received the tragic news of the death of their husbands. This film shows the delayed effects of how that grief and loss can impact family, friends, and other veterans who knew the one who was killed.
One theme that others didn't mention relates directly to the title of the film. The phrase "Be good, smile pretty" came from one of the love letters sent by Lieutenant Droz to his wife when he was in Vietnam. Those same words become almost haunting to the wife who struggles with tremendous grief over the loss of her beloved and the lingering bittersweet memories of a love that was so cherished and so suddenly and harshly extinguished.
The story is NOT just about the loss of life during the Vietnam War. It's universal to all human loss during wartime, terrorist killings, and other such traumatic events.
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