Jeri Jacquin
This week on Bluray & DVD from directors Fabio Guaglione
and Fabio Resinaro with WELL GO USA Entertainment is the intense story of a man
and a MINE.
Sgt. Mike Stevens (Armie Hammer) is a sniper and with best
friend Sgt. Tommy Madison (Tom Cullen) are on a mission in the middle of the
desert. Their objective is to take out the leader of a terrorist cell. Setting
up to neutralize the target, Mike hesitates when he realizes a wedding is happening.
When discovered on the hilltop, Mike and Tommy take cover
until the chase is over. Unable to be picked up due to a sand storm, the two
begin a trek through the desert to reach the nearest town. The sand uncovers a
sign that Mike believes to be a warning of a mine field.
Tommy doesn’t think it’s true but everything changes when a
mine explodes and Mike hears a click below his foot. The world stops for a
moment and his worst fears are happening. Trying to reach his command for help,
Mike is told that a caravan would be his way but not for 52 hours.
The sun beats down on Mike when he meets a man named Berber
(Clint Dryer) who wonders why the soldier doesn’t just walk on. Frustrated,
Mike tries to explain the situation but the man keeps asking questions. The one
thing he knows important is water asking the villager for some.
As night falls Mike must deal with the animals in the desert
and another day in the heat with clear hallucinations setting in begins to test
his resolve. Looking for a solution, Mike is also confronted with his life,
choices made and questions he has continually refused to consider answers for.
Then there is Jenny (Annabelle Wallis), the woman he loves
and it becomes clear that Mike must get home to love and the chance to make
life right again. Waiting for the convoy becomes too much when Mike begins to
question whether Berber was even real. When the enemy discovers him before the
convoy, it becomes a question of survival.
It takes only a moment to decide.
Hammer as Mike is absolutely brilliant as this soldier who
is forced to face his life. His moment of hesitation when taking out the target
has brought him to the point of being on his knees. From sand storms, desert
wolves and hallucinations that are full of truths, Hammer takes hit after hit
from all sides wearing his character down to rock bottom. Watching his
deterioration there is a moment I thought, “My strength is dried up like a
fragment of clay pottery … you have brought me into the dust of death” (Psalms
22).
Cullen as Tommy knows that his buddy hesitated far too long
on the mission yet drives him onward through the desert. Tommy’s goal is to a
phone and talk to his son. Refusing to believe the sign meant anything cost him
everything. Yet he watches over his friend in ways that are spiritually
amazing.
Dyer as Berber is a beautiful man who may ask a lot of
questions but Mike isn’t in the mood to hold a friendly conversation. As night
turns to day Berber is amazed that Mike is still standing and shares a little
of his life. His voice is soothing and the heart he shows the soldier is more
than I could ever have expected. Just a lovely character in a harsh situation that
sees something amazing in a man who sees little in himself.
Other cast include Geoff Bell as Mike’s Father, Juliet
Aubrey as Mike’s Mother, Ines Pinar Mille as Berber’s daughter and Daniel
Sandoval as a young Mike.
Well Go USA Entertainment is an amazing company that brings
the best of Action and Independent films from around the world. There format
includes theatres, digital, cable and VOD along with Bluray. For more of what
they have to offer go to www.wellgousa.com.
Well done Well Go USA Entertainment for bringing such a
original, intense, and emotional film to Bluray and DVD because this is an
visual experience not soon forgotten.
The Bluray and DVD include the Bonus Features of Deleted Scenes, The Making of, Trailer, VFX
and Storyboard and is also available in Spanish
Language.
MINE is a powerful film that will take the viewer on a
journey through every range of human emotions. As Sgt. Mike’s mind begins to
wander through the story and events of his life, we all become voyeurs into the
painful memories of a soldier who was a boy and a son first.
Becoming immediately engaged in the story, Hammer’s
performance is amazing up until the very last scene which, by the way, almost
broke me. Standing in one spot for 52 hours doesn’t allow for distractions and
the realities of one’s life are right there in front of him. Although the story
revolves around this soldiers struggle, it doesn’t take stepping on a mine to
understand every bit of what he is going through mentally and spiritually.
The way the storyline comes together is brilliant and just
tore me up. Know that when watching because I will not give anything away about
the film – this one falls under the category of the less said the better. Be
prepared for everything.
In the end – stand your ground!
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