Beyond the Call

Actor and director Tony Bill has directed this story which tell another tragic Vietnam veteran story. Today a bit contrived, maybe, but in 1996 quite actual. It still is. War time veterans with psychological problems are coming out of any war.

Middle aged Pam learns that her childhood sweetheart, Russel, a man which couldn't hurt a fly, is imprisoned and waiting on death row after killing a policeman. She can't understand why, and goes to visit him, and sons learn that he didn't do what he is accused for. She engages in the case, and this soon affects her life and her marriage. Her husband is a Vietnam vet himself, and not at all with ease with it.

Sissy Spacek plays Pam, and David Strathairn plays their roles with great poise, and adds to the films greatness. Arliss Howard starts off like an unimportant guy in the beginning, but soon he is doing just as great as the others. The film hits on several levels, and is almost like a stage play. It could have been great on stage with a couple if good actors. And it's turned out to be a good film as well. Dark and bleak, yet filmed with bright colors as well, like a fresh nineties film, it balances between a film noir and prison movie. The film uses flashbacks when it comes to her child hood memories, to underline that Russ was a nice guy back then.

It's strong on emotions, and gets you really in the end. A drama you won't forget.

Watch this seven times before you go watch the highly overrated "Dead man walking".