SGT. Will Gardner (2019) User Reviews

An honest review - for a change

[Top_Dawg_Critic · 6/10 · 2 April 2019]

I'm pretty sure this film must hold the IMDb record for the most fake (every) 10/10 reviews lol. Clearly the overall rating speaks for itself, and it's a very generous 6/10 from me.

I think Max Martini wore too many hats with this film. His acting was great, directing (camera) decent, but the pacing and length needed work. The screenplay is where this film had problems, with plot issues and too many long dragged out scenes, that along with the slow pace, dragged down this film's entertainment value. The delusional comrade (of which the content of the conversations were mainly boring and unbelievable) and all that narrating (again, mainly boring) were unnecessary, and I feel it really toned down and took away from the film. Directing his cast also needed work.

This film's production felt like one of those Hallmark/Lifetime films, and that's not necessarily a bad thing, but had it been edited down to 80-90 mins instead of its long 125 min runtime, it would have been more enjoyable.

Omari Hardwick, Gary Sinise as well as the rest of the supporting cast were good, but I felt Lily Rabe was over the top to the point of annoying in her opening scenes.

Nevertheless, an underwhelming film with a great story that should have been told better.

Still, mad props to Max Martini for putting his all into this film, and still pledging 30% of the film's proceeds to three charities that support veterans suffering from TBI, PTSD, and veteran homelessness.

Would I see it again? No. Would I recommend it? Yes, if you can get past the productions issues to see the reality of how PTST affects veterans. More of a Yes if you pay to see this film to pass on the financial support pledged to the Vets.

Ok so it's not great but...

[c7flat13 · 7/10 · 25 May 2019]

Even though it's relatively formulaic, trite and unimaginative. Especially the direction and editing. The cinematics are generic. but the writing is subtle and actors (including some notable cameos) carry a loosely cogent story through. There's a depth to the characters and dialogue and narrative that is compelling. Worth watching it's message is clear and obvious but personal.

No man left behind

[deepak_vish · 6/10 · 3 June 2019]

"No man left behind" is the message of the extremely moving film - Sgt. Will Gardner. Actor Max Martini plays the role of an Iraq War veteran, Will, who comes back home from the war a devastated man suffering from TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder). Though Will made it back alive, unlike his best friend and fellow soldier Samuel, he is still fighting several demons in his head. He is aptly nicked-named "Ghost" by the way. There are also other references to ghosts.

Sgt. Will Gardner tells the now very familiar tale of several thousands of U.S. war veterans, many of whom are homeless and have lost their way in life struggling to adjust to normal civilian life after going through hell in the front-lines. While the movie's message is admirable, it meanders along for close to 2 hours before ending right where it started, after giving hope to the viewers that Will had finally put his demons to rest and given a new purpose in life. If we are not bored to tears by the many mundane scenes in this movie, we are left scratching our heads with the abrupt and unreal ending.

Some of the best scenes in the movie are when Will goes to reconcile with his 11 year son, who he left behind to fight in Iraq. In order to do that, he steals his boss's motorbike and rides cross-country to Florida. No explanation is given on how he survives without any money during his trip. What's more is that he meets a slightly unstable woman who mistakes him for Bryan Cranston and even has sex with him in her car. Lily Rabe plays Mary-Ann Mackey who has had enough of her numb boring life, quits her job on a whim and drives to Disneyland. Her delusional belief that Will is a celebrity, though he bears absolutely no resemblance to Bryan Cranston, provides a lot of humor which eventually devolves into pity.

Going back to Will and his bike, in fact the only time Will feels anchored and moves with purpose is when he's on that bike. When the bike gets taken away from him, he reverts back to the drifter that he was before he got possession of it. This is the main inconsistency of the movie, which proves to be its undoing. The viewer is left wondering why the bike is so important. It is just a means to go around, and does not come for free. Why was Will suddenly reduced to begging on the streets the moment he lost the bike? How was he even living, eating and filling gas for the bike?

Martini who plays Sgt. Will also wrote and directed this film. He should have finished it on the high inspiring note he reached just 5 minutes before the ending. Instead he ruined it by trying to create even more sympathy for war vets, and in process creating a totally fabricated ending which made no sense whatsoever.

I also wish the female characters in the movie were given a more solid role. Both of the prominent female characters come across as goofy and weak-willed. The film also features subtle cameos by Gary Sinese as a sympathetic bartender and Dermot Mulroney who plays the insecure husband of Will's ex-wife.

Overall, a good movie with a strong message. But it could have and should have been tightened a lot more. I give it 6 stars out of 10.

Difficult life of military war veterans returning home.

[TxMike · 20 February 2020]

My wife and I watched this at home on DVD from our public library. The filmmakers have strong views about how difficult it is for many war veterans returning home to civilian life. Many are homeless and have to beg for survival and not enough is being done on their behalf.

Max Martini is very good as Will Gardner, a fictional character scarred by his action in Iraq. In California he is working as a painter but having difficulty with his boss. He shucks it all and on a "borrowed" motorcycle takes a cross-country trip, stopping here and there for family or friend interactions, ultimately ending up at Arlington cemetery.

The movie tells a worthwhile story, to help bring attention to the plight of many veterans. It loses some of its impact by editing which makes it very slow in many sections, some scenes seem to be prolonged beyond what is reasonable. Still we found it a worthwhile viewing.

AN IMPORTANT FILM

[curley-07931 · 7/10 · 2 October 2020]

Does this film have high budget's and high quality filming? No. What it does have though is a realistic view of humanity. It deals with important issues such as PTSD and mental health and portrays them very accurately.

Are some of the reviews high? I'm not sure. I believe they are an indicator how real the film is and that the issues it deals with are more common than we realise. This film demonstrates beautifully that behind every situation is a story and maybe, just maybe we could stop to listen once in a while.

STOP the FAKE REVIEWS!!!

[julieandcarlsims · 1/10 · 16 January 2019]

It's sad because I really wanted to like this movie. I am a Veteran myself. It could have been good, but everything about it was a mess. Bad acting, no flow, just a Trainwreck. I finally had to stop watching halfway through. I do love Gary Sinise though, and All the great work he does for Veterans!

Fantastic very non typical Deeply Personal reaction here! That's because of this Man's reaction to have Survived the "front line" survival of serving as a ground Trooper Iraq!

[jackdavidsonny · 7/10 · 12 June 2019]

Nice to see how this gentleman made up for serving as a Ground Trooper in Iraq for the United States of America. Good thing he Survived to make it on out of there Safely. So in the end he winds up Driving a Powerful Motorcycle all around the Country of America. This all successfully keeps this man from going Crazy on his own daily state of mind. Really bad one he ended up with right here! Entertaining for one to fully see his own Personal Reaction to this 👍

Terrible movie with bogus high reviews

[rrcharpe · 1/10 · 12 January 2019]

I am a Vietnam vet who began my two year stint in South Vietnam as a combat medic with the 1st Infantry Division and then was promoted to an Official U.S. Army war correspondent. I know PTSD very well. This movie is very boring and self indulgent as far as the portrayal of the ex-sergeant's problems with PTSD. It is a low budget mess and I don't recommend it AT ALL. It is NOT entertaining in the least!

Powerful and raw! Speaks to very heart of today

[lyn_balfour · 10/10 · 12 January 2019]

Just finished the movie....as a vet with both a TBI and PTSD that I've battled since 2005 this was crushingly candid and hit my core. Thank you for the powerful portrayal of what many of us battle everyday

Very boring

[SpecialWeirdo101 · 1/10 · 15 January 2019]

I looked at the reviews before watching this movie, mostly because I never heard of it before. I DO like Max Martini as a actor and was hoping the movie was good. But it ends out that I hate Max Martini as a writer/director. I rarely fast forward on movies, they mostly deserve to be watched, if I want to write a review that is. This time I was tempted more than one time. I cant see any other purpose of this movie than to bore the life out of the audience...

As a "documentary" the movie are less than good (we see it in the news at least weekly, nothing new), as a "adventure" or road movie its less than good (its enough bad road movies out there), as a "action" movie it needs way more action. The "drama" genre fits, but its the most boring drama I have seen in a long time.

Max Martini, please don't do this again, keep your ass in acting only in the future.

As for all off you making a account just to rate/review this movie as 10/10, please let me know what you are smoking to think this are a good movie..

Not that I think smoking stuff will make me change my mind, but it might help me forget that I ever watched it in the first place. It fits good in my list of movies "to never watch again"

Until we all make it home...

[rusten-88121 · 10/10 · 14 January 2019]

First, I have always been a fan of Max's work. He's just one of those "dudes" that military guys can immediately associate with. It's one of those "he gets us". I was messaging with Max a few weeks ago, and less than 8 hours later I bumped into him in San Antonio. He was gracious and appreciative of my service. He told me when the film was coming out, we took a picture and parted ways. Now to the film. It started off perfectly, a Soldier on the beach reflecting, alone, not necessarily lonely, but alone with his thoughts and his ghosts. We've all been there. We meet Will at his lowest yet see that his humanity remains intact though he's clearly torn apart inside from his time "over there". We are given the opportunity to journey with him as he rides with his "ghosts" as he meets new people and reconnects with his humanity. Gary Sinise's scene was just incredible, such simple dialogue yet the connection between them and the gentle kindness of brother warriors was just fantastic. The conversations he has with "Top" are awesome, though we see Top it's really Will talking to his conscious, and that's powerful. The interactions with his son are what really stood out to me it's these kinds of interactions I have with my daughter that pull me out of those dark places we go, and to see this expressed on film when Max literally changes from dark and introspective to alive and full of boundless energy to just spend time with his son. It's charming and it resonates authenticity. Lilly Rabe was hilarious, she lightens the mood in all the right places and at the right times. Great writing and simple camera work. Before we realized that Top was a ghost, we see them talk to the old Nam vet and this scene really is wonderful in its simplicity. Will talks to the Nam vet as a fellow warrior and human he "squares away" his Boonie cap and gently places it back on his head. As the Nam vet walks away you can almost feel the pride swell in his chest as we see him stand a little more erect as he walks off and tosses his sign aside. Every vet in this generation has scars, we are only alone if we chose to be. This film shows us even if we are alone, we can find each other in the strangest places. When Will gave him the badge, a man with literally nothing to give it was a beautiful moment in the film. Watching him say goodbye to his ex-wife and son was gut wrenching, far too many of us have had to let go to what we once held onto the hardest what I appreciate most in the film, is that not everyone will get it and that's ok. To those that do don't despair. We remain... "Some make it back, but never make it home." I hope this film helps you if you need it, you aren't alone. Thanks Max...

The road less traveled

[nogodnomasters · 2/10 · 9 February 2019]

This is the story of Sgt. Will Gardner, a PTSD, TBI vet. Will has flashbacks a lot and talks to his dead friend. In order to help himself, he reads and exercises, although we only see the former. He also helps himself by drinking heavily and stealing a bike from a Terminator to take a most boring ride across America and see his ex-wife and son. Will is very rough around edges. He is basically socially dysfunctional and unemployable...and fights too much.

Yes, folks like this need help but making a boring film on the topic really doesn't help. Now if they had Bryan Cranston starring in the film, we would have had a brief moment of comedy to break up all the drama. The soundtrack was the pitiful piano playing attempting to twang on our emotions because Lee Greenwood wouldn't do it without the green?

Now if they exposed Sean Hannity's dubious charity, or Trump attempting to kick veteran vendors off the sidewalk, that would be worth watching. All I ask is to entertained.

Guide: F-word, sex, no nudity.

Continuity

[skippygirl123 · 5/10 · 29 June 2019]

Little continuity. Predictable script. Max was nice to look at.

A Turd is still a turd

[Eddie_weinbauer · 1/10 · 10 August 2019]

Even if you give it A LOT! of fake positive reviews. The story her is something of a disjointed adventure, of a vet from one of our many latest wars. Who have PTSD and problem adapting in the civilized society. A side from that, it's pretty hard to tell what the movie is about. There are a lot of flashback to episodes of stuff that he experienced in war time. But it's hard to grasp the connection of it all ,cause it's so disjointed.

But lets be clear Rambo it ain't. As a matter of factthis movie make Rambo look Oscar worthy

Very touching, very encouraging

[skibum-21490 · 10/10 · 12 January 2019]

As a veteran, I saw healing processes in this movie. Some parts were difficult to watch while others were very warming and fulfilling. I saw a loving husband and father that suffered from poor choices made by not only himself but other key people in his life. I saw a man who was healing himself by helping others. I saw a man, who even though down and out, refused to give up and pulled those around him, up on their feet to stand tall and be proud of who they are.

Boring and unrealistic story

[fsahakian · 1/10 · 24 February 2020]

The writing is just horrible and impossible to understand. The patriotism parts come across as forced and very fake. It's hard to tell what this movie is trying to do or what story it is trying to tell. Waste of time.

Excellent Film

[jpaulley · 10/10 · 11 January 2019]

This was a great movie and definitely worth buying. You'll watch it more than once; trust me. If you're a Max Martini fan, you'll love this film 👍🏻

Best I've seen for years....

[Qbone · 8/10 · 12 January 2019]

This movie will touch every corners of your heart, so much that it will never leave you in peace. After watching it "at least 10 times" you'll gain more respect for war veterans, real life heroes.

Recommending it wholeheartedly!

Heartfelt Heart breaking Poignant

[desertship-78246 · 10/10 · 12 January 2019]

A touching memoir of the forgotten veteran. Thank you to all the service men and women. #LEAVE NO MAN BEHIND.

Brilliant movie

[ger55champ · 10/10 · 29 March 2020]

I'm Scottish man and even I found this film extremely moving . Beautifully acted and thought provoking Ignore the negative reviews .Goodness knows what they thinking giving it 1s and 2s .Sados Ridiculous

Awesome Movie with a great message!

[reservenational · 10/10 · 12 January 2019]

Max Martini hit a homerun in here! The message is meaningful, the acting is superb, and the emotions are real. We need more movies like this and more actors like Max. I loved it!

Very well done movie, I will NEVER believe another 1 star review with some type of agenda again.

[onlinevirtual · 10/10 · 18 July 2019]

Not the most action filled movie ,but very up and down and a very sad situation that many vets are in , it makes you think twice and want to help, heartfelt and heartwarming, we can do better !

A Truthful Experience of the Mind, Heart and Soul

[Redmarfilms · 10/10 · 17 January 2019]

Sgt. Will Gardner is a shocking and truthful examination of what the mind of a veteran might be going through as he copes with post traumatic stress from combat. Writer / Director Max Martini sets the tone from the opening scene for the internal life of the character. The film serves both as metaphor and symbol to create the experience of the far reaches of the mind. It begs the question: how can we know what it's like in the life of a combat veteran, plagued by his memories and haunted by the loss of his humanity and ultimately of his mind. Director Martini brilliantly creates an environment in the film where we experience the veterans struggle by creating spaces in which he exists either in repression or delusion. It shows how the character tries to navigates his way out of the far reaches of his battered soul through the people he meets; all of which offer him the vehicle of empathy even though he is existing at the bottom of societies hierarchy. One of the most moving performances is by Marine veteran played by Luis Bordonada (an Army veteran himself). The way Bordonada inhabits the character is both heart breaking and brutal. One feels the extent at which the actor exists in each moment of sorrow, loss and joy of feeling alive, even if for a fleeting second. The most impressive and humbling aspect of the film is how Director Martini explores the power of cinema itself to create a tone of story layered with possibilities. Sgt. Gardner in the opening scenes of the film is found (and ripped out of) a destroyed motel room, where he is hiding in a bathroom. One might create symbolism and parallels of the motel room as his "mind" and the bathroom as his "repressions" where he is tragically lost. The act of him being ripped out of that environment is the very methodology the film then tackles through use of farce, humor, and structure of principles. What else is cinema capable of achieving? Please, do yourself a favor and watch Sgt. Will Gardner to find out what your experience might be. I had the great honor and privilege of watching the film while sitting next to a Navy Seal, and I can tell you unequivocally, that he was moved to his core... as was I.

Max Martini got it right. Remember when Titanic initially got low reviews- THIS IS A MUST SEE MOVIE

[zenabodina · 9/10 · 2 June 2019]

This movie is so touching, andthought provoking-especially if you've got family members walking this razor-sharp line between war and civilian life. This is a must-see movie, it forces you to pay attention to the lack of American support for our veterans. How could OUR great country not take care of our own? My son is a Wounded Warrior with TBI and PTSD. He's had more than 40+ surgery's from shrapnel/blast injuries. His biggest challenge has been the ghosts & flashbacks. For the first 3 yrs he drank to excess, got into fights often. I miss the person he was before his military career. God Bless you Max for this movie- you got it right.

Powerful film with thought provoking message

[tony-1128 · 10/10 · 12 January 2019]

Powerful film. It gives insight to the struggle that our men and women returning from combat go through. It shows us the huge challenge of PTSD, TBI on coping through civilian life and its impact on the families of our veterans. It reminds us to be thankful for the sacrifices that our men and women of the military make to keep us all safe at home and so we can all live in freedom. We can all make a better effort to reach out to our veterans and help them out however we can. This is a great film, and I highly recommend everyone to watch it.