ReelBob: ‘PTSD — The Walking Wounded’ ★★★
By Bob Bloom
PTSD is insidious. Unlike wounds received on the battlefield, PTSD inflicts its hurt on the hearts, souls and minds of military veterans.
“PTSD — The Walking Wounded” is a documentary that looks at the impact of PTSD through interviews with veterans, family members, veteran support group advocates and clinicians.
Basically, what the movie reveals is, that while the military does a great job training its recruits for whatever contingency they may face, when their tours of duty are up, they are basically left to their own devices to readjust to civilian life.
The movie also is rather critical of the Veterans Administration, which doesn’t seem able to cope with helping these men return to society, except by giving them pills.
PTSD — post-traumatic stress disorder — seems to be a growing problem in the 21st century military. It also was a problem for returning Vietnam War veterans, but as it was then, it remains a problem for which the military has no adequate answer.
The movie is basically a talking heads documentary, but it also is heart rendering and disturbing, as these veterans openly discuss being mentally and emotionally lost and feeling helpless.
Allen Hershman, a clinical psychologist, who has treated many veterans — some of whom eventually committed suicide — says the military badly needs transition programs to help veterans acclimate to civilian life.
What is needed, a couple of these men say, is people stepping up to help other people.
When these veterans return home, they have to fight their demons alone, which is a burden that leads to depression, which leads to alcohol or drug use and, sometimes, suicide.
One of the most poignant moments in “PTSD” involves veteran Sergio Agudelo who, when asked by an interviewer if he ever contemplated suicide, buries his hands in his head for a long time before he answers.
Agudelo admits he is embarrassed to admit that suicide was an option he considered.
The movie also talks to Jillian Nadiak whose brother, Adam, died of a drug overdose because he had difficulties after returning to civilian life. She has begun a program to raise money to help vets.
Also helping vets is David Lionheart, who produced the movie, and who runs a support group, Play for Your Freedom, which tries to get veterans to participate in various sporting events, mostly football games.
These make a dent in helping these ex-warriors, but it still does not reduce the sad statistic that 22 veterans commit suicide daily.
And that is a number that should make us all weep, just as many sequences in “PTSD — The Walking Wounded.”
I am a founding member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. I review movies, 4K UHD, Blu-rays and DVDs for ReelBob (ReelBob.com), The Film Yap and other print and online publications. I can be reached by email at bobbloomjc@gmail.com. You also can follow me on Twitter @ReelBobBloom and on Facebook at ReelBob.com or the Indiana Film Journalists Association. My movie reviews also can be found at Rotten Tomatoes: www.rottentomatoes.com.
PTSD — THE WALKING WOUNDED
3 stars out of 4
Not rated, language, thematic elements