Heroes Don't Come Home

Heroes Don't Come Home is a profound and evocative drama movie released in 2016, directed by Jake Hulse and featuring a stellar cast that includes Andrew Casanova, Tyler McElroy, and Robert Schorr. The movie dives into the aftereffects of war, and how it alters not only the lives of those who go to fight but also those who stay back home. The film spotlights the lingering consequences of war and the psychological consequences for veterans and their families.

The movie's protagonist is a young man named Jake (Andrew Casanova), a former soldier who has returned to his hometown in Maine after a devastating war. Having left as a brave, gregarious individual, he returns quiet, guarded, and grimly taciturn. Jake is haunted by his war experiences, suffering from PTSD, and finds it impossible to slot back into his former life. He is torn between the past and the present, caught in memories that refuse to let go, and a reality that seems completely alien.

Tyler McElroy plays Ben, Jake's best friend who did not go off to war. He has lived an altogether different life, never leaving their hometown. He has been involved with Jake's former girlfriend, Tracy, while Jake was away. Ben, being a civilian, cannot completely comprehend Jake's experiences and trials. However, he tries his best to reach out and reconnect, despite the palpable tension and resentment.

Robert Schorr plays the role of Jake's father, a stoic character who is struggling internally with his own sense of loss and confusion. The impact of the war on their lives spills over into the other family members, adding sensitive layers to the storyline.

Heroes Don't Come Home does a phenomenal job highlighting the stark contrast in lives and sensibilities of people based on their experiences. It portrays a deep understanding of the unseen wounds of war and the irrevocable changes it brings in its wake. It is an introspective study of the spaces between people, the visible and invisible barriers that war drives deep into the fabric of society. The movie is about the unnoticed heroes who don't make it visibly home even after they physically return.

The movie is not just about war veterans' transition into “normal life,” but about the pain, trauma, and actual struggle they face when trying to reconnect with civilian life. It reflects the inevitable "war" they continue to fight long after the actual one is over. The narrative of the film also makes an important point by presenting the perspective of those left behind during the war and how their lives are equally affected.

The cinematography of the movie impeccably represents the movie's emotional depth, with the landscapes and setting capturing the interplay of isolation and intimacy that the characters embody. The dialogues are deeply meaningful, restrained at times, and dramatically expressive at others.

Throughout the movie, intimate moments are skillfully juxtaposed with dramatic flashbacks, gradually piecing together the fragmented identity of Jake as a soldier and as a person. A tight bond between friends, love, traumatic flashbacks, family tensions, and subtle humor are all deftly woven into the storyline, making it a deeply engaging drama.

The stellar performances by Andrew Casanova, Tyler McElroy, and Robert Schorr amplify the movie's raw, realistic portrayal of life after war. Casanova, as Jake, convincingly portrays the tormented and vulnerable soldier with a lot of depth and subtlety. McElroy's portrayal of Ben perfectly captures the dilemma and struggle of reconnecting with a changed friend. Schorr, playing the father, adds an extra layer of complexity to the storyline with his silent suffering and confusion.

In conclusion, Heroes Don't Come Home is a poignant and heart-wrenching exploration of the enduring effects of war on soldiers and their families. It's a powerful drama that strives to raise awareness about the emotional toll of violence and displacement, making us reflect on the profound sacrifice of those who bear the brunt of war. This movie is worth watching for those seeking a deeper understanding of the trauma and effects of war on an individual's life and relationships.