An Act of War

source: An Act of War

"An act of war" is the story of a veteran of the military that - after knowing the atrocities of war - comes back home, but unfortunately he can't lead a normal life because of the post-traumatic stress. Violence and loneliness will continue to haunt him despite he attempts to adapt to normal. It is a realistic view of what happens to many soldiers returning from war, of what remains after the honors and prestige: they cannot return to live as ordinary people, because they will bring back for ever the memory and the trauma of having fought and having seen the deaths of their comrades. From now he won't live peacefully, because he has only a sense of self-destruction.

Jacob is a veteran of war and, when he comes back home, he tries to return to normal life, but unfortunately it will not be easy for him to forget the trauma of war, so he will continue to suffer and memories continue to haunt him. Life before the war was peaceful and happy, but now that happiness seems impossible to recover, and what remains is only a sense of self-destruction. This film makes think because we don't know how soldier's life changes after the return from war. Maybe we think they have only honor and prestige, instead they are alone with their fears and their post-traumatic stress, while the whole society can't help them because it can't understand their real condition.

I was employed at a VA Hospital for two years. No matter what department you are in, you get to know some of the guys who are there on a regular basis. Hard to admit, but this is an all to frequent tale of someone unable to adapt once they make it home. It may be a bit dramatic or theatrical in places, but that's the idea of a fiction I guess. I just felt the need to say that from my experience, the plot of this film is not too far fetched to be believable. I wish I had a solution to the problem addressed in the story, but I don't think there is one beyond ending all conflict, which is never going to happen. As long as people are sent to fight the battles of more powerful people, these issues will persist. At least someone took the initiative to address it in a narrative form, which will make a lot more people aware of it that otherwise would be. This is not an action thriller as it's made out to be, but certainly worth the watch.