Displaying items by tag: Mending the Line movie

MENDING THE LINE

US, 2022, 122 minutes, Colour.

Sinqua Walls, Brian Cox, Perry Matfield, Wes Studi, Patricia Heaton, Irene Bedard.

Directed by Joshua Caldwell.

Mending the line actually refers to flyfishing.

Flyfishing, very popular in the United States, emerged as a sporting activity for returning veterans with PTSD. And, there are echoes of the classic A River Runs Through It.

This is a story of veterans from war in Afghanistan, beginning with some visual military action, the central character, John Colter (Sinqua Walls) surviving while many of his comrades die, a deep impression of grief as well as responsibility on his psyche.

On his return home, in consultation with a doctor, Patricia Heaton, but not finding group therapy effective, the doctor links in with Ike, a typically enjoyable tough performance by Brian Cox, also a veteran, very much involved in flyfishing.

The physical activity is important. Also some research on the nature of the lines and baits. And, the librarian, volunteer, at the centre, herself with some grief because of the war, participates in the flyfishing.

In many ways, the plot is evident as to where it is leading. However, it is a very significant contribution to the treatment of PTSD and its effectiveness.

1. The title, flyfishing, casting accurately?
2. 2018, the American presence in Afghanistan, the patrols, dangers, action, heroism, deaths? Consequences? PTSD? Healing in therapy?
3. Audience and flyfishing, memories of A River Runs Through It, some literature, the rods, the detailed explanation for baits, techniques, the tranquility of the river, the release of the fish, thanks and peace for the freed fish? The veterans choosing to let them live?
4. The opening, Afghanistan, the last day, Colter deciding for a final patrol, the reactions of the men, Blitz and his impending wedding, Colter as best man, the patrol, the ambush, the shooting, the three men running to the building, the explosion, deaths? Colter’s injury? (And the later flashbacks to illustrate Colter and PTSD?)
5. The Montana setting, the beauty of the mountains, the river? The town? The hospital, wards, rooms, interviews, atmosphere? The library? The ordinariness of the town? The musical score?
6. The portrait of John Colter, African-American, his background, no family, on the move, the Marines as his family, brotherhood, service in Afghanistan? His eagerness to return? The various interviews, the doctors and the tests, therapy and his, the leader who had not served in war, the challenges to the doctor, her protocols, her assessment of his condition? The scabs on his leg and the treatment, his limp? Anxiety, memories, building responsibility, missing comrades? His drinking?
7. Ike, crusty, living by himself, the flyfishing, his collapse, hospital, the doctor and the warnings? His friendship with Harrison, memories, joking, the shop, fishing and the competition? The gradual revelation of his background, Vietnam, his sense of responsibility, the return, not coping, leaving wife and family? His estranged son?
8. Colter, the doctor recommending flyfishing, Colter’s reaction, the eventual agreement, meeting, working together, supporting Ike, learning, in action, studying the books? The bonding between the two, supporting Ike, hospital, Ike’s words and wisdom about the chapters in the military life?
9. The doctor, in herself, her concern for the veterans, advice, the faith in flyfishing as therapy? The group sessions, Colter and is not fitting in? Her concern for Ike?
10. Lucy, friendship with Colter, librarian, volunteer, giving him The Sun also Rises? His persuading her about the flyfishing, her joining in, the effect on her, on each of them? The later revelation about her past, the death, her emotional troubles?
11. Ike and Harrison, veterans of the past, friendship, give-and-take, the discussions, portrait of old veterans?
12. The conclusions about PTSD, flyfishing, therapy, integration of emotions?
13. The final photos, black and white, the veterans and flyfishing?