Too much TV

Rating: 3/10 (31 July 2005)

This movie addresses the torments and issues of the average (if home-owing is still average these days) American individual. This includes relations with ex-wife which walked out for a more successful and rich individual (and the groups dynamics this implies, like meeting the other guy), lack of communication with own's children, and, by far the most present in this movie, the issue of "joining the military".
For the first part (familiy issues) the movie is a typical collection of Hollywood-style desire-gratifications (like having an ex-husband that one still gets along well with, something bad happening to one's ex-wife's present husband, and many other "little things" like this). I find this kind of reality-distorting techniques very bothering. They just tell oneself that he should continue with his life (i.e. keep working for little or nothing) because (1) it's a very good life-style and (2) bad things happen to those who seem better off.
The most dominating trait of the movie is the on-going argument for "joining the military". This ranges from subtle to in-your-face. Basically all scenes involving military personal are presented in a bright(as opposed to the wet darkness of the rest), confident manner. This seems reasonable. Then the man's son starts to be desperately longing for "going with the military" and his father wants to stop him. They end up having a father-son fight over this, with the son winning. This is very annoying to me - suggesting to join the army as an act of defiance of your father. Also, the most subtle element is the fact that while the guy struggles (runs, hides, etc.) to protect just his family, only bad things happen, while the moment he "realizes" (without any reason as far as I am concerned) that he "must fight" and "make personal sacrifices", everything starts going well.
Stilberg's subtle style and the special effects made this movie viewable to the end. Except that, it's just propaganda.