I was just a baby when my family fled Vietnam in 1975. It's understandable how recent events in Afghanistan can conjure up comparisons with the fall of Saigon, including from Vietnam veterans and the Vietnamese themselves.
Hollywood seems saturated with movies about U.S. elite military forces, and yet, G.I. Jane and Act of Valor are two very underappreciated films about the U.S. Navy SEALs. Another great film about these special forces is Lone Survivor.
Based on actual events, Lone Survivor is based on the book of the same title by Marcus Luttrell and Patrick Robinson. The film chronicles a SEAL team in Afghanistan that finds itself in a predicament with the Taliban. The movie title gives away a significant plot point, but there's much more to the story. An astounding turning point in the film about Afghan culture helps avoid what could be an otherwise predictable movie.
Lone Survivor is probably one of the least actionful action movies. Although the movie has action, I would categorize it as more of a drama. If you're expecting a lot of gunfights and fast action, you may be disappointed. Lone Survivor focuses on brotherhood, survival, and human compassion.
From one of my favorite filmmakers, Peter Berg, Lone Survivor features Mark Wahlberg as the headliner, but its cast also features Ben Foster and Taylor Kitsch, who are such underrated and outstanding actors. Marcus Luttrell is the SEAL team member portrayed by Wahlberg and also served as a consultant on the film.
When asked in an interview if he thinks of himself as a Chinese or North American, Bruce Lee replied he wants to think of himself as a human being and further said, "Under the sky, under the heavens, there is but one family."
Even being worlds apart, the hardships of refugees from different countries and cultures reminds us that, as a human race, we're alike more than we're different. And perhaps what they want more than anything now is empathy.
Afghanistan has been a country in conflict for an excruciatingly long time. Lone Survivor provides one insightful portrayal, and in seeing the film, I hope people will better appreciate the sacrifices and bravery of Americans and Afghans in America's longest war.
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