Lonesome Soldier

Lonesome Soldier is a deeply moving film that brilliantly captures the harrowing journey of a soldier grappling with the aftermath of war. Alexander Randazzo delivers a powerful performance as Jackson Harlow, masterfully portraying the complexities of PTSD with authenticity and sensitivity. The supporting cast, especially John Ashton and Allison McAtee, provide compelling and heartfelt performances, adding depth to the narrative. Director Nino Aldi's storytelling is both raw and touching, making this a must-watch for anyone seeking a profound cinematic experience about the human cost of war.

I highly recommend it to anyone willing to attempt to try to understand what our Veterans go through.

"Lonesome Soldier," directed by Nino Aldi and released theatrically in November 2023, is a powerful and evocative portrayal of a soldier's struggle with PTSD. The film stars Alexander Randazzo as Jackson Harlow, a young man whose journey from an aspiring musician in Tennessee to a war veteran haunted by his experiences in Iraq is both harrowing and deeply moving.

The film opens with a compelling depiction of Harlow's life before and during his military service, quickly immersing the audience in his world. Aldi's direction is meticulous, capturing the raw and often brutal reality of war, and the subsequent struggles faced by veterans upon their return home. The cinematography, handled with exceptional skill, utilizes a mix of stark battlefield scenes and intimate close-ups to convey the protagonist's emotional turmoil effectively.

Randazzo delivers a standout performance, bringing depth and authenticity to his portrayal of Harlow. His nuanced acting captures the complex emotions of a man grappling with the aftermath of war, including scenes of intense vulnerability and resilience. This performance is well-supported by a strong cast, including Allison McAtee as Jackson's mother, whose portrayal adds a poignant layer to the film, highlighting the impact of PTSD on families.

The screenplay, co-written by Alexander and Oscar Nominated writer Lionel Chetwynd, is poignant and well-crafted, providing a balanced mix of action and introspection. The dialogue is powerful and thought-provoking, effectively conveying the inner conflicts of the characters. The script also addresses significant themes such as loss, redemption, and the enduring bonds of friendship and family, making the narrative both engaging and emotionally resonant.

"Lonesome Soldier" is a poignant and thought-provoking film that provides a raw and realistic portrayal of the struggles faced by war veterans. Nino Aldi's direction, combined with Alexander Randazzo's exceptional performance, results in a film that is both powerful and deeply moving. Its exploration of PTSD and its impact on both soldiers and their families is handled with sensitivity and insight, making "Lonesome Soldier" a significant contribution to the war film genre.

IN A NUTSHELL: One of my sons is in the military, so this kind of movie really hits my heart hard. It's about a soldier who returns home from the Iraq War and struggles to adjust to civilian life due to PTSD. It's based on a true story but could easily represent many soldiers' tumultuous stories. In fact, several cast members are veterans. From a grateful nation, thank you for your service to our country.

The dramatic film was directed by Nino Aldi. Writing credits go to Lionel Chetwynd and Alexander Randazzo.

THINGS I LIKED: I had never seen Alexander Randazzo in anything before. I'm a new fan. He helped write and produce the movie, in addition to starring in it. He portrays several versions of his character: pre-war idealism, frightened soldier in Irag, drugged-out loser, recovering soldier, and hopeful man. He was believable in each role and did a good job. Congratulations to him.

There's a really great speech at the 1 hour 23 minute mark. Every returning soldier should hear it.

I loved the illustration of a mother's fierce love and loyalty to her son. That kind of love is extremely powerful. I hope my sons feel that from me too.

There are some realistic-looking action sequences with soldiers in Iraq that illustrate the powerful brotherhood in the military, as well as the heartwrenching moments that haunt them for the rest of their lives.

The movie does a great job showing the heavy toll that soldiers' families experience. Watching what my son and his wife have gone through during his military service, I can tell you the families of soldiers sacrifice a lot too, and deserve our utmost respect and support.

Every scene shows raw, honest emotion and will hit you in the gut.

It's so frustrating that the military trains our soldiers to be so tough that when they return home, they reject all of the services they need to make good choices in their new lives.

Out of all movie themes, HOPE is my favorite. This film displays it well.

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: The majority of the movie is a depressing journey with a returning soldier who gets lost into the gutter of society. His family implodes around him and you just want the sadness to end.

Some of the Southern accents are not very good.

So many scenes could have been deleted to tighten up the story. Because the film is so depressing to watch, it was too long for my heart to take.

We've seen this type of movie many times before.

TIPS FOR PARENTS: Kids will be extremely bored. This isn't appropriate for them to watch anyway.

Lots of profanity and SO many F-bombs We see the naked rear ends of soldiers in Boot Camp.

So much use of alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, and cocaine Violence with various weapons, as well as hand-to-hand combat Explosions and destruction Blood from violence Lots of drug use Infidelity Lots of angry yelling.

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When watching this movie in theaters, I at first wasn't expecting much. But I have to say it gave me the most raw and real view of what PTSD is, and what our men, and their families go through after battle. I was so impressed not only by the intensity of the movie and acting, but also the well rounded stories of each of the characters and plot. It answered questions, and more importantly caused a person that is so unfamiliar and disconnected to the idea of war, to really think about the reality our soldiers face. I would highly recommend this movie, not only to be entertained, but to learn..........

This really movie hits home and we have a son in the Army. The entire cast did a great job. This movie is a must see. I can definitely relate to his mother. I did not want my son to join the Army, but now he is a changed man and still serving his country. He loves it. The cast made us feel every emotion throughout the entire movie. The visual effects and music made it very real. I loved how several of the cast members are actually veterans. This gave the movie real truth and positivity. I recommend this movie to all families of veterans and love ones that have PTSD. You will not regret your decision to watch this movie.