Wow what a screenplay!

Rating: 10/10 (11 January 2009)

As a former vet and a current idealist I loved this film. You can look for the deeper meaning in this film or you can just enjoy the fine writing it is up to you. It works on both levels.
Walt has lived his life by working hard and doing the right thing. What he has gotten in return is nothing. He has kids who never knowingly sacrifice and are to caught up in chasing the American dream they never truly learn what the American dream really is about. They never learn that if something isn't worth dying for then it is not worth living for either. You learn in this film that you live for one another not yourself.
I was a little disappointed with the acting ability of some of the characters but the strong screenplay more than makes up for it.
We need more Walt's in this world. We also need more kids like the Hmong family. We may suffer at the hands of others but life is given meaning in striving to make ourselves and those around us better. This nation was built on ideals and will survive by serving those ideals.