Credited cast: | |||
Matthew Ewald | ... | Lieutenant Sutter | |
Jimmy Ace Lewis | ... | Private Rubin | |
Christopher Long | ... | Andre 'Casper' Allen | |
Paul de Havilland | ... | Sergeant Calhoun | |
Adam Brudnicki | ... | Helicopter Pilot | |
Phil Blattenberger | ... | Private Chauncey | |
Joshua Dela Cruz | ... | NLF Boatman | |
William Shannon Williams | ... | Colonel Abraham | |
Joe W Nowland | ... | Captain Hardy | |
Acorye' White | ... | Private Whittaker | |
Jacob Keohane | ... | Silas Meeks | |
Bryan Bachman | ... | Lieutenant Marsh | |
Marianne del Gallego | ... | Viet Lady 1 | |
Cody Howard | ... | Matthew Ham | |
Triston Dye | ... | Private Cotter |
Set in Vietnam in April 1968 - three months after the tide-turning Tet Offensive and one month after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. - Point Man is the story of a U.S. Army fire team fractured by racial tensions, moral crises, and the crushing pressures of combat in a war nobody wants to fight. Andre "Casper" Allen, a rough-edged ideologue, finds his radical politics put him at odds with the squad's machine gunner, Silas Meeks. When their search-and-destroy mission in the Mekong Delta goes terribly wrong, both men find themselves pitted against each other and their recalcitrant platoon commander, Lieutenant Sutter. Point men die like flies in the bush, and as loyalties dissolve every step forward comes with a price.
First I'd like to say this is my first IMDB review and I made a new account just to write it. Before reading my review you should know that I am coming at this from a filmmaker's perspective. I have some idea of the obstacles and trials that come with the territory of making an indie film. This is not an average joe's take on Point Man.
The film kicks us off with an intro reminiscent of a multitude of war films while still remaining original. But the tone is set soon after with the "belt buckle" scene that I'll let you see and interpret for yourself. I don't want to give too much of the plot away because I didn't know much outside of the synopsis going into it and it was much more rewarding that way in my opinion. I saw the trailer and honestly was not impressed. I'm very happy I overlooked it and decided to watch this film.
What I liked about Point Man.
What could have been better about Point Man.
Final Thought on Point Man.
The was a rookie debut by Blattenberger done on a shoestring budget that I walked away thoroughly impressed with. I say that not just from an indie perspective but overall. It's not easy for me to enjoy a movie because of how much I nit pick but damn this was good. I didn't get into the themes as much because I don't want to give away too much of the plot. It's best you just take this trip for yourself. This is not an action movie, I REPEAT THIS IS NOT MEANT TO BE AN ACTION MOVIE. This is a film about people, controversial themes and well written characters that stick with you long after the credits role. If you're wondering whether to check this out I encourage you to do so. You may feel angry or confused or not feel a sense of fulfillment in the finale but you won't feel like you wasted your time. Point Man deserves recognition as one of the finest indies of 2019 and a brave new perspective on the Vietnam War.