Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a 2012 movie, a heartfelt war drama, captures the essence of generational impact of war and the shared experiences that ties such generations together. This poignant piece of cinema stars Jonathan Bennett, James Cromwell, and John Cromwell providing performances that are at once moving and formidable. Directed by Samuel Fischer, the film endeavors to reinforce a more profound understanding and respect for the sacrifices made by our military personnel in the line of duty.

Memorial Day, as the name suggests, is a movie ingrained in the ethos of the military past weaving its narrative around the concept of remembrance, valor, and sacrifice. The film begins on a warm Memorial Day weekend. We are introduced to a 13-year-old boy called Kyle Vogel, portrayed by Jackson Bond, who stumbles upon a World War II footlocker belonging to his grandfather Bud Vogel, played by James Cromwell in his later years and John Cromwell in his youth. The footlocker contains an array of old war souvenirs. The boy’s inquisitiveness about these war relics unearths a series of memories that his grandfather had stashed away.

The film then flashes back in time to World War II, presenting a stark portrayal of the Battle of the Bulge, one of the war's deadliest conflicts. The young Bud Vogel, portrayed by Jonathan Bennett, is revealed to us, encompassed in the severe reality of war. His experiences on this deadly battlefield form the basis of the war stories he shares with his grandson, linking the past and present in a profound, emotional way.

Encased within the footlocker's confines are a variety of objects, each of which holds an emotional resonance, reminding Bud of his youth and the men with whom he served. The film unravels as he begins to tell the tales behind each of these objects to Kyle. However, these aren't just war stories meant to thrill or frighten the curious lad. Moreover, they serve to unveil the brutal reality of war, the heroism, the companionship amid chaos, the loss, and the indelible psychological imprint it leaves on those who experience it firsthand.

Juxtaposed to this, Kyle grows up to reject the 'desk job' for the role of an infantryman and, in turn, is exposed to a similar test of character and morality amidst the dusty, violent landscape of Iraq many decades later. Here, Jonathan Bennett takes on another role, playing the grown-up Kyle Vogel. Chronicling the shared war experiences of the grandfather and grandson duo, the film echoes the sacrifices made by both of them at different periods of history: World War II and the Iraq War, respectively.

The debut director, Samuel Fischer, makes it a point to keep the action authentic, thereby adding to the film's overall emotional quotient. The war scenes, though significant, do not stir away from the narrative's true essence. Instead, they serve to extract a deeper meaning, clarify the inherent nature of war, and reveal its daunting implications. It does so while depicting the human spirit's resilience when plunged into unanticipated circumstances.

The performances in the film deserve a special mention. James Cromwell beautifully portrays the reticent and hardened Bud Vogel, a man who has borne witness to the unfathomable horrors of war. Jonathan Bennett flawlessly switches between the younger Bud and the grown-up Kyle Vogel, maintaining the congruity in character. Lastly, John Cromwell's portrayal of the young Bud is equally impressive.

Memorial Day is an emotional, multi-generational war drama that endeavors to immerse its viewers into the hauntingly poignant and profoundly universal narrative about the sacrifices made during the horrific times of war. It is a tribute to the countless war heroes who have served their nation with undying bravery and dedication, bearing the indelible scars of the battlefield, physically and emotionally.

Less of an war-filled action movie and more of a character-driven narrative, Memorial Day intertwines two major war periods and explores their impact on two generations: a grandfather and his grandson. It is a stark reminder that every soldier has a story that is connective tissue binding families and nations. As the film's tagline quotes, "What you consider history, we consider family." Memorial Day is indeed an unforgettable cinematic experience with its immersive narrative, proficient storytelling, and soul-stirring performances.