Sgt. Will Gardner

Sgt. Will Gardner is a profound, visually stunning, and deeply touching drama. Released in 2019, this film is written and directed by Max Martini, who also expertly plays the lead role. The movie also stars Omari Hardwick and Lily Rabe, among others, who deliver powerful performances that lend a significant depth to the plot.

The narrative is centered around the eponymous character, Sgt. Will Gardner or simply ‘Will’ (played by Martini). Will is a veteran of the Iraq war, who returns home with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) after being caught in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion during a combat mission. As with many real-life veterans of war, his transition back to civilian life is fraught with complications. Will is tormented by his memories of the battlefield, the sounds, the chaos, and the persistent sense of fear and danger, with these flashbacks serving as a haunting reminder of his traumatic past.

Yet, it is not just the war that has a grip on him. Will's personal life is in shambles, he has lost touch with his young son and his ex-wife, and he struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Under the strong weight of his issues, Will finds solace in the open road; he embarks on a cross-country motorcycle journey, aiming to put the pieces of his life back together and reclaim a sense of normalcy.

During his journey, Will encounters several distinctive personalities, which lend a textured diversity to the narrative. He encounters a series of individuals with varied backstories and personal struggles of their own. These interactions shed light on the challenging adjustments many veterans face post-deployment and offer a perspective on the human stories underlying statistics around war, trauma, and recovery.

Omari Hardwick stars as Samuel 'Top' Pennington, one of Will's old comrades from the war whose life has followed a different path post-military service but still holds a strong bond with Will. Lily Rabe plays the role of Mary-Anne, a woman Will meets during his travels who has her own interwoven past with the trials and tribulations of war, and offers him a sympathetic understanding he's struggled to find elsewhere.

Given the film's theme and premise, it inherently addresses and highlights the important issue of how war veterans are treated and supported post-service. The strong narrative, fluid screenplay and heartfelt performances make this movie an emotionally charged journey that explores the complexity of the human experience and reveals the impact of war beyond the battlefield itself.

Max Martini dons multiple hats, serving as writer, director, and lead actor; his performance as Will is a testament to his craft and talent. He beautifully brings to life the struggles that Will faces, rendering a depiction that’s both heart-wrenching and compelling. His portrayal of a veteran reeling in the aftermath of combat, both physically and psychologically, pulls the viewer into an immersive emotional connect which stays much after the end credits roll. It paints a vivid picture of the harsh realities encountered by servicemen and servicewomen upon their return home.

In essence, Sgt. Will Gardner is not just a movie, but a call to consciousness, a sociological study into the lives of those who serve their country and the battles they continue to fight once they return. Its gritty, all-consuming narrative overflowed with on-point performances makes it a must-watch for anyone seeking a synthesis of deep storytelling, captivating performances and a moving narrative on war and its aftermath. It’s a moving reflection of the trials veterans face in reintegrating with the society they served to protect, and a silent plea for increased understanding, support and appreciation of the tremendous sacrifices they've made.