WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Everyone needs a reason to live. There’s a fundamental framework we discover in this journey we call life that is, ideally, made up of the pursuits we endeavor to achieve to give our existence meaning, to define us, to help us leave what we hope will become a lasting, abiding legacy. Sometimes, the road to this can be harsh and challenging, pushing us to overcome even our own inclinations and fears in order to seek the paths that will justify our life’s intent. For Army veteran John Kayhill (John Reign), an ongoing, often beleaguering battle with PTSD has ultimately driven to find ways to helps his fellow brothers in arms find their avenues of peace, even when it doesn’t always lead to anything but heartbreak. But, when John gets news that shakes his own world apart, he takes it upon himself, along with his mentally challenged brother Rodney (Thomas Stoops) and doting wife Skye (Dawna Lee Heising), to make things right for others, even as he carefully hides a secret of his own.
Next, my Mind:
When it comes to any effort that tackles the ever-present reality of veterans who face the nightmare of PTSD during their post-military life, this critic certainly gets behind it, as it should never be something taken lightly, forgotten, or ever treated with anything less than absolute, unwavering respect and awareness. This 90-minute indie feature film project from writer/director/producer/executive producer/editor John Reign and executive producers Rowena Reign and Charles Wedge takes an unexpected route in its depiction of one man’s struggle with the debilitating condition via how he tends to choose to face it with humor while helping others through it, not out of any disregard, disrespect, or flippant demeanor about it, but rather as a means to show that sometimes, laughter can be the best medicine. What then gives the story its further depth is when John himself becomes aware of an unanticipated element in his own life he chooses to hide, all while attempting to continue bringing hope to his fellow soldiers he sees as brothers.
There is additional gravitas through his caring for a mentally handicapped but yet lively brother, whom the story is dedicated to in Reign’s real life, all of which becomes this melding pot of everything that many in the world would see as overwhelming and impossible to handle. Yet, through his affable and playfully snarky manner, John retains this ability to manage and maintain his relationships between his former brothers in arms and his own family while suddenly having to face a demon he didn’t see coming. It then paints a portrait of how we as human beings tend to wish to flee from confronting realities that are so blatantly hurtful, instead putting on the brave face while keeping up appearances and, in this case, masking personal struggles beneath other well-meaning actions. Yet, despite how we can tend to do this for the sake, we feel, of those closest to us and not wishing them pain, it’s a mix of inspiration and heartrending to choose this way to be, and the film does a solid enough job at portraying the war within John is facing.
As hinted at above, what surprised me the most about the film was the quite prolific amount of off-the-wall, sometimes flat out slapstick-style humor infused into what really is a serious narrative, given the foundational premise and core themes being addressed. But, this really IS a good thing, as it lightens up the mood with bouts of silliness that, again, don’t remotely cause any discourtesy or loss of significance to the facets explored involving PTSD and other mental illnesses. It’s still treated seriously, but Reign I feel just didn’t wish the whole movie to be weighed down in a more constantly solemn atmosphere, instead wanting to give us a chance as the viewer to have those laughs while still being able to fully appreciate the emotionally stirring aspects of the film’s story that much more when they take command of the screen. There’s an undeniable genuineness of heart and design here, and while I will say much of the film is highly predictable and some of the emotional moments were a bit forced for me, what’s behind it is totally, one hundred percent sincere.
Reign himself takes on the lead role here as John Kayhill, a military veteran from the Bosnian war who more than wrestles with the ghosts of his past service. Yet, in his daily efforts to be amongst fellow soldiers he’s served with and keeping a more light attitude about things, he copes well enough to be of help to others. But, when his own path gets rocked by dire news both personally and from within his circle of friends, he makes the choice to try and find both new purpose for those around him and within his own family. It’s a adventure that is funny, stirring, and very profound, and Reign sells us on it with good belivability. Indie film veteran Heising makes her indelible mark as John’s wife Skye, who has an inkling her husband is not telling her everything that’s going on with him, but goes along for quite a ride anyway to support him, often becoming the target of some not so fun (yet hilariously over-the-top) mishaps on their travels. It’s a plausible performance and without question wholly entertaining, as Heising portrays the character with bravado.
Stoops actually shines quite brightly as John’s brother Rodney, whose mentally-compromised state of being is actually a source of inspiration, humor, and heartwarming soul, which I can only imagine is a worthy tribute to Reign’s real-life brother Stoops is paying homage to in the role. Stoops infuses the character with such a believable, lovable manner that you find yourself drawn to the character throughout in both serious and witty sequences he’s involved in. Yet another veteran actor, Aki Aleong, arrives here in his role as Skye’s father/John’s father-in-law, a wizened older man whose keen sense of insights and perception allow him to be a brief, but key factor in John’s life as he makes the choice he does to fulfill a friend’s dream while easing his own troubled soul. The main interaction the two men have carries a real weight of importance to the grander story John is experiencing, and Aleong makes the most of his quick screen time as only a seasoned actor can.
As with so many large ensemble casts, highlighting everyone in detail would equal a novel-length review. But, as this critic always strives to ensure primary and other levels of supporting appearances ARE indeed acknowledged because they ARE important elements to a film, I wish to give a shout out to so many of them so they understand they ARE valued. These actors are James Schultz, Ross Carlo, Chaz Wedge, Alley Wedge, Ashley Gallo, Jimmy Gerovac, Larry Overfield, Jimmy Barber, Sr., Jana Ferris, Barbara Chavers, Ed McIntosh, Riley McIntosh, Dr. Tomas Malvar, Christopher Goff, Rj Guy, Dave Campbell, Jasen Howell, Bianca Diavalo, and Milly Myers Phipps among many others.
So, in total, “Finding Purpose: The Road To Redemption” is honestly a much more impactful than many might wish to admit, more so as I mentioned above, in that it is more relevent to me when watching indie film efforts that one can look beyond the technical, production, or acting shortcomings that can be present and instead focus on what the film is actually trying to say, its deeper messages, in order that it leaves you with a lasting impression of how much soul and real effort is found in this community of filmmakers, which for me alone is more than worth supporting. Here it’s sobering, thought-provoking, yet feel-good, sentimental, heartfelt, fun, fully necessary, and inspirational statements being made that we, and this current world, could all use ALOT more of.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
