Displaying items by tag: Patricia Heaton

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?

THE UNBREAKABLE BOY  

US, 2025, 109 minutes, Colour.

Zachary Levi, Meghann Fahey, Jacob Laval, Drew Powell, Gavin Warren, Patricia Heaton, Todd Terry, Kurt Yue, Peter Facinelli.

Directed by John Gunn.

This film is based on a non-fictional book, The Unbreakable Boy: A Father's Fear, a Son's Courage, and a Story of Unconditional Love," by Scott Michael LeRette and Susy Flory. And those are the themes.

With the title, this seems to be an emphasis on the boy himself, Austin, autistic, and with a rare brittle bone disease. However, he is a very cheerful child, happy with all those he comes into contact with. He is played with zest by Jacob Laval.

With the title of the book, there is an emphasis on the son’s courage. However, the focus of the film then goes to the parents, as indicated, the father’s fear, love for the boy, and the issue of the stress put on unconditional love within the context of the family. The mother and the brother also have two deal with the boy, the challenge to them. Zachary Levi is the father.

This is obviously a film with the message, a plea for some kind of empathy with the boy and his conditions, some kind of sympathy for the parents, the challenges, the difficulties, their own limitations in dealing with stressful situations.

1. Based on a true story? The photos and information at the end, decades after the story of the film?
2. The Oklahoma setting, Middle America, ordinary citizens, homes, work, debts? Family life? The breakable bones condition of mother and son? Injuries, burdens, hospitalisation, costs? And autism?
3. The narration by Austin, his nickname of Auzman? Age 13, the setting of the New Year’s Eve party, the behaviour of his father, drinking, driving home? The film going into flashback and eventually returning to this sequence?
4. Austin, the tone in verve of his narration, his explanation of his parents, their meeting, characters, the three dates, her pregnancy, her response, Scott’s response, his parents’ response, the upset and harangues by his mother? The birth and the broken ribs? Austin in pain, crying, the parents not knowing? Later discovering the truth? His bones, inherited, and is listing the number of breakages and their situations?
5. Scott and his character, with the character of Joe, his alter ego, always with him, sense of presence, the conversations, his reflection, conscience, and the final joke about his being God? The fact that Scott, despite everything, could have a challenging conscience?
6. Teresa, serving, Scott and the attraction, the talking, the dating, her pregnancy? The gradual revelation of her past, the two marriages and divorces, her alcoholic father, help from her sister? Her breakable bones condition? Love for Scott, the birth, the raising of Austin, discovery about his bones? The tensions between the two, the issue of marriage, the officiating, in a church?
7. Second pregnancy, the birth of Logan, no bone problems, not autistic?
8. Audience appreciation of autism? Austin’s particular type of autism, extroverted and enthusiastic, everything the best? OCD, obsessions, cataloguing his DVDs, his caps, his knowledge, accuracy? His mindset, the way he saw things? The response of his mother, care? The response of his father, not seeing him, the issue of medications, going to the institution for four days after his violent aggressive outburst, his assessment of the four days, his family adapting to him, Logan caring for him?
9. Austin at school, his nickname, exuberance, the issues with Tyler, the bully, friendship? Tyler later bullying Logan, the skateboard, Logan hitting him, the school principal, Logan and his wrapping the gift of the skateboard, the gift, the reconciliation? Austin’s explanation that Tyler was lonely, his hard life and family?
10. The response of the school, cheerful and Austin’s exuberance? His being the mascot of the games, change of moods, his father donning the Tiger’s head, his going out in joining in? The issue of his staying at the school, as help to his learning or not? The discussions with the principal? His returning to the school, the student signing the petition for his return? Returning to be the mascot?
11. The portrait of the married couple, Teresa, the obsession with video games, exasperation with Scott, the episodes, finding it too much, his drinking, ordering him out? The support from the preacher and the church congregation? Her religious motivations? Scott and his leaving, his absence, memories of her marriages and divorces?
12. Scott, his ambitions and hopes, his experience of marriage, fatherhood, his aspirations, drinking, absences? The presence of joke? His going to the AA meetings? The encounter with the preacher, his antipathy towards God, the preacher at the AA meetings? The change in attitude, Teresa pouring out all the alcohol? AA, his becoming sober, his return, the experience of the camp and Austin’s enthusiasm, all the activities with his father? Austin’s vision, flying in the clouds, the kite turning into a creature…?
13. An opportunity for ordinary audiences to reflect on marriage, parenting, problems and challenges, coping with issues? In the background of some faith dimensions?