Customer Reviews

Beyond the Call

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This story of a relationship between a Vietnam Vet on death row and the woman he was once in love with kept me on the edge of my seat for the entire 101 minutes. It spoke to me about the brother my family lost to the Viet Nam War even though he returned seemingly whole. He went away a young man of 19, hoping to discover how to be a man in the world and came back an old man, withdrawn, without direction or dreams, constantly on drugs. David Strathairn's rage and hopelessness are a powerful reminder of how such damages are wrought by war on any young man with ideals. Sissy Spacek's quiet persistence is stunning as she digs through the armor of the death row prisoner to find the person she once loved. Arliss Howard's performance as the Vet husband who kept his psychic wounds under stiff control is a wonderful support to this excellent ensemble cast.

This film was a Showtime special based on actual events. Sissy Spacek's role as Pamela, the former girlfriend of death row inmate Russell(David Strathairn) shows her usual depth with a superior script by Doug Magee. Emotion and thought provoking dialogue ensues between the 2, as Arliss Howard as Keith, her husband has the weaker less believable role. Both he and Russell suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome from Vietnam and the audio only flashbacks point to a low budget. The real brilliance of the film is the relationship between Pam and Russell as he gets closer to the execution date.

In the background is the injustice system South Carolina style and the covert commentary against the death penalty. You end up empathizing with Russell up to an emotional end that will stay with you. In contrast to Dead Man Walking where the dialogue spells out everything with overdirectness, this one implies everything assuming the intelligence of the viewer.

I had never heard of this film but, being a big fan Of Sissy Spacek, I purchased a used VHS recording and was mesmerized by the performances of Sissy and Straithairn. excellent dialogue and the 2 of them are so utterly convincing. She is one remarkable actress and he more than held his own. Highly recommended.

Although there is a lot of profanity in this movie, without such language the morale and moral value of the movie would have been lost. I believe that US Senator Bob Kerry (now retired), a Medal of Honor Winner and Vietnam combat veteran would agree with me, when I say that this movie should be required watching as part of social studies in high school. Sissy Spacek puts on another powerful performance that is certain to bring tears to anyone who watches it. I find it hard to believe that this movie is NOT listed in her filmography, and also did NOT win even a mention in any film awards that I know of. It is also not available in US DVD format, but the VHS can be legally converted by VHS-to-DVD services in one copy for personal use only, which is what I did with great HD results.

This movie needs greater recognition, so after just seeing it on TV I'll add to the positive commentary. The screenplay and especially the performances by Spacek, Howard and Straithorn are gripping and real. Good words, very good acting, and minimal but effective special effects make real the effect of an ugly war on the two men portrayed here.