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Editorial Reviews
When SSgt. Kyle Vogel leaves a handwritten letter on the seat of his car, grabs a pistol and steps into a Minnesota forest, we wonder who he is and what he’s about to do. Flash back a few months as Vogel lies wounded in a hospital near Anbar Province, Iraq. The night before he’s due to return to combat, his doctor, Lt. Kelly Tripp, presses him on why he’s so obsessed with collecting battle souvenirs. Kyle proceeds to tell her what happened on Memorial Day, 1993, when, as a 13-year old boy, he discovered his Grandpa Bud’s WWII footlocker. Though reluctant to talk about the war, Bud, who served with the 82nd Airborne, strikes a deal with Kyle: “Pick any three objects, and I’ll tell you the story behind each one.” As we see Bud’s WWII tales from Europe, we also see how Kyle’s experiences in Iraq have paralleled them—and how that day on the porch will affect how he ultimately deals with the losses, regrets and moral dilemmas that unite all soldiers across wars and generations.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
94 of 96 people found the following review helpful
By 36gOPFOR
Format:Blu-ray
This movie is a poignant characterization of the conflict that combat veterans live with, during and after their experiences. Focused on a WWII U.S. Paratrooper and his grandson it gives us a sense of the emotions that many combat veterans of all eras may go through - having to make a decision during a war that you know is going to end badly for someone and then having to live with your decision or in having friends be killed or injured. Anyone who has had a family member or friend who has seen combat can recognize the defensive wall that many veterans erect as their way of dealing with the experience. Hopefully this movie will encourage at least some of those veterans to allow their friends and family to try to understand.
56 of 58 people found the following review helpful
By Megan
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I was lucky enough to see a screening of this film, and was blown away. To echo the reviews below, it's more than a war movie, it's a family movie. The movie crosses multiple generations, and encompasses stories from two wars. For those from the WWII generation this will bring back their own memories from a time with the war was very much part of their daily life. For those with loved ones serving now it gives a real face to what is happening. For everyone else it's a solid reminder that memories are stories that need to be shared, that burdens can't be carried alone and that all generations have something to give to one another.
Additionally, it teaches us that Memorial Day is more than a time for picnics and BBQ, more than just a free day off and a parade but that it's a day when we honor and remember.
I strongly recommend this for anyone, not just those with military ties
Additionally, it teaches us that Memorial Day is more than a time for picnics and BBQ, more than just a free day off and a parade but that it's a day when we honor and remember.
I strongly recommend this for anyone, not just those with military ties
53 of 55 people found the following review helpful
By Col. Stevens
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
As a Marine veteran and grandfather, this film touched me on both counts. As a veteran, the meaning/importance of those small "souvenirs" one acquires during their time in service can be both cherished and guarded. This film approaches that importance with reverence without the carnage usually found in "military movies".
The closeness between the grandfather and his grandson was also touching and special. I am lucky to be very close to the only grandchild I have, a boy of 5 1/2. We have, since his birth, had a special relationship that continues to grow each day. I too have things to share with him someday.
Sometimes fathers, because of their role and lack of experience/wisdom, cannot share with their son, daughter, or other family members. With the years comes a realization of the memories tucked away which those "souvenirs" represent. This film helped in my confirmation of that.
I recommend this film to all Vet's and their families, and everyone else. I hope I have/will not be the only veteran/grandfather that is touched in this way. I also hope that it helps all who view it to share, respect, and understand those "things" that may never be spoken of by the veteran.
The "story" is 5 star. Own the DVD/Blue-Ray; share it with all who will sit still long enough to watch it. Lord knows we sit and watch allot less deserving films.
The closeness between the grandfather and his grandson was also touching and special. I am lucky to be very close to the only grandchild I have, a boy of 5 1/2. We have, since his birth, had a special relationship that continues to grow each day. I too have things to share with him someday.
Sometimes fathers, because of their role and lack of experience/wisdom, cannot share with their son, daughter, or other family members. With the years comes a realization of the memories tucked away which those "souvenirs" represent. This film helped in my confirmation of that.
I recommend this film to all Vet's and their families, and everyone else. I hope I have/will not be the only veteran/grandfather that is touched in this way. I also hope that it helps all who view it to share, respect, and understand those "things" that may never be spoken of by the veteran.
The "story" is 5 star. Own the DVD/Blue-Ray; share it with all who will sit still long enough to watch it. Lord knows we sit and watch allot less deserving films.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This movie gives renewed meaning to why we celebrate Memorial Day.
This movie is realistic in its war scenes without unnecessary blood and gore.
I admit that this holiday used to be a reason to have a "3 day weekend".
Now I will remember the sacrifice that all of our soldiers have made through the years.
I hope this encourages all veterans to tell their stories so that we and future generations will understand and appreciate their experiences.
This movie is realistic in its war scenes without unnecessary blood and gore.
I admit that this holiday used to be a reason to have a "3 day weekend".
Now I will remember the sacrifice that all of our soldiers have made through the years.
I hope this encourages all veterans to tell their stories so that we and future generations will understand and appreciate their experiences.
17 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
The worst part of movies dealing with war or soldiers during a specific time period is that they often feel like recruitment videos. Either that or they shove patriotism down your throat. "Memorial Day" isn't like that at all, which is a relief. What really balances out the entire movie is the time Kyle spends with his grandfather. James Cromwell's heartfelt performance is really fantastic. His emotion gives much needed heart to a story like this. The thing about grandfathers is that they're supposed to always have a story to tell and have words of wisdom. Bud is the epitome of that, but he waits to reveal that until somebody makes him talk.
The time Kyle and Bud spend together inspires Kyle to start a collection of his own once he becomes a soldier as an adult and has a family of his own. This is the other big intriguing aspect of the war drama. Seeing Kyle collect things throughout the movie only makes you realize what he's eventually going to tell his son one day, which is kind of heartwarming. The last five minutes of the movie are also its bread and butter. It's as if the entire movie was written to give those few scenes more impact and it works so well. It's just a series of really passionate performances along with perhaps the most memorable scene to take place on that porch in the entire movie.
Many of the other performances feel uninspired. Maybe it's just the way Hollywood writes soldiers, but most of them are pretty forgettable here other than Kyle. John Cromwell is pretty exceptional in his full length feature film debut though. Everyone else outside of the main cast just feels like filler. Ho-hum is an acceptable way to describe the majority of the movie as things like the score, battlefield sequences, and lines of dialogue will be a distant memory at best.... Read more ›
The time Kyle and Bud spend together inspires Kyle to start a collection of his own once he becomes a soldier as an adult and has a family of his own. This is the other big intriguing aspect of the war drama. Seeing Kyle collect things throughout the movie only makes you realize what he's eventually going to tell his son one day, which is kind of heartwarming. The last five minutes of the movie are also its bread and butter. It's as if the entire movie was written to give those few scenes more impact and it works so well. It's just a series of really passionate performances along with perhaps the most memorable scene to take place on that porch in the entire movie.
Many of the other performances feel uninspired. Maybe it's just the way Hollywood writes soldiers, but most of them are pretty forgettable here other than Kyle. John Cromwell is pretty exceptional in his full length feature film debut though. Everyone else outside of the main cast just feels like filler. Ho-hum is an acceptable way to describe the majority of the movie as things like the score, battlefield sequences, and lines of dialogue will be a distant memory at best.... Read more ›
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
To the heart
If you enjoy a movie that deeply touches your heart you will thoroughly enjoy this one. If you are a veteran, this one will draw you in and bring some tears. Read more
Published 5 days ago by William F. Riesterer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great movie.
I give this 5 stars, not because I saw it, but because my husband was home sick and he watched it. He thought it was a "very good movie," which from him is high praise!!!
Published 6 days ago by Rilla Anderson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good movie for what was intended.
Not a lot on scene development or suspense in relatively short combat scenes, but intent of movie was achieved with relationship between grandfather and grandson and the effect of... Read more
Published 8 days ago by Scott A. Rogers
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Flick
Movie encapsuated the experiences of World Watr II and the Iraq War into a family construct and shows the internal struggle of the man at war.
Published 11 days ago by Will Kramer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome story
This is a great film! It has an amazing cast and a heart wrenching story to tell. Made me think about those days as a kid, talking to my Grandfather about his war days. Read more
Published 11 days ago by Christopher P. Stanton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyed this movie...
I liked the way the writer tied WWII and what is going to today together, I also liked the fact that they used real events.
Published 13 days ago by John Kunz
3.0 out of 5 stars
Slow
Good story line but pace just too slow, dragged by. One of those movies when you want it to be over but don't want to skip to the end
Published 13 days ago by Botuna
3.0 out of 5 stars
Okay
It was okay. Not very suspenseful. Hard to get into the story. Good plot line just could have had more action.
Published 15 days ago by Boo to this Book
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
Definitely worth watching. It is a story that will leave you grateful you took the time to watch it and grateful someone had the wisdom to write it.
Published 16 days ago by Michael Rowzee
4.0 out of 5 stars
Watch this.
Veterans will appreciate this movie. The movie does well at capturing the emotions of the experience of combat. Watch it.
Published 16 days ago by J. Cardoza
