Return with Honor: A Missionary Homecoming

I was lucky enough to see this film at the Houston Worldfest Film Festival. The theme is powerful and universal and unfolds in a subtle, moving, thought-provoking way. I found myself thinking about Return With Honor and reflecting on it long after I left the theater. I particularly liked the way it allowed the audience to absorb the message through its believable, flawed characters and dialog that speaks TO the viewer not AT them. The audience, engaged from the beginning, sat mesmerized in silence by the end. After the screening, I spoke with the writer/ producer, Tracy Garner. His personal journey to write and produce this film was inspirational. I was impressed by the combination of his enthusiastic determination and genuine kindness. It is hard to believe he plays Scotty, the jerk, in the film. Great acting! Great writing! Great film! Not just one of the best independent films I have seen... one of the VERY best films I have EVER seen. Life changing.

Among films of its genre, this is a great film. While it's based on a Latter-day Saint theme, the religious touch is light and the basis thrust of the story is personal relationships and redemption. The script is very tight, the characters are well drawn, the dialog is sparse and direct, the cinematography is incredibly well-framed for a low-budget indie production. The supporting cast is extremely good and well-rounded.While many of the cast members don't have long resumes, you would guess they are veteran actors. I've seen a few of the more well-known Latter-day Saint productions, and some of them can be pretty cheesy in both acting and production values. This film has none of those qualities. Very much worth watching.

With a slow choppy beginning, "Return with Honor" tries to resurrect its poorly directed story path by slipping in a few amusing moments. Javen Tanner meager mellow dramatic acting job is luckily drowned out by the film's phenomenal supporting cast. Tayva Patch delivers a marvelous performance as the Return Missionary's bewildered Mother trying to find her way after a life of wrong turns. Raymond Zeiters, plays Javen's voice of reason best friend who steals the show with an honest performance. Tracy Garner (also the film's writer/producer) adds to the great supporting cast as the obnoxious Bar Owner. All in all, "RWH finally finds its path with an okay twist of faith ending. I'm not big on Mormon exploitation films, but if you like film about the LDS faith you'll probable gobble this one down and ask for seconds.

I'm not a Mormon, and generally shy away from films with religious genres. But I watched, "Return With Honor" last night for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought it was well written, and crafted in such a way that kept me wanting to see what would happen next - and I was delighted by changing events that were inventive rather than cliché.

This is a warm, family appropriate film that has inspiring messages and a story line that keeps the viewer engaged through the final scene. By all accounts, Return with Honor has the production value of a film made for eight times it actual budget. And I'm sure with A-list talent, it would have received the attention it rightly deserves. Despite this, I found the performances convincing, and more than what I might normally expect from a low- budget, indie film I highly recommend it.

Of all the 'church films' I've seen, I give this my highest rating. The story and plot were great and the acting was very, very good, especially the main character, Row, and Corbin, the friend. I really liked the way it built, the editing, directing and, well, all of it which I don't want to give away so I'm not saying too much. If you liked States of Grace, you will like this one, too. MUCH better than Left Behind.

You will learn a lot about yourself and a lot about true love in this movie.

I have a friend who died during a tonsillectomy-however you spell it-and was brought back to life, and said amazing things about what 'God' said; which was a miracle in itself since he knew nothing about God, so all those people who don't like that part-sorry. It happens. He was told that his life wasn't finished. (He remembered every detail, even though he was given a drug to make him forget everything from the surgery.) The movie doesn't go into unnecessary ornamentation; it goes from point to point, and you have to pay attention. I went twice, I liked it so much, and it's the first time I've ever liked a film better the second time around.

I want everyone I know to see it, and I want to buy the DVD when it comes out.