Jeri Jacquin
Coming to DVD from writer/director Max Martini and Cinedigm
comes the story of a man who has seen war and forgot his life in SGT. WILL
GARDNER.
Will 'Ghost' Gardner (Max Martini) is a man struggling with
life after his time in the military. After an explosion kills his close friend
Samuel 'Top' Gallegos (Omari Hardwick) and causes brain injury, he leaves his
life behind to wander the streets.
As the years pass, Ghost realizes he must get back into
life and makes his way to see his young son. Along the way he meets Mary Anne
(Lily Rabe) who accidentally mistakes him for a famous actor. The two get to
know one another and discover they are both lost in the big world.
After reconnecting with his young son Will Jr. (Leo
Martini), he sees his ex-wife Kimmy (Elisabeth Rohm) and new husband Buddy
(Dermot Mulroney). She explains what happened with her life when Ghost went off
to war and it is what they both needed to move forward.
Trying to find his way clear, Ghost takes one step forward
and four steps back trying to find his way in a world that doesn't see him nor
do they see his injury. Relationships are held together by a thread,
friendships are so difficult to maintain and sanity walks on the edge of what
he wants his world to be.
This is his story but it is also the story of so many.
Martini as Ghost is a man who can not seem to find his way
clear of the war. He wants so much to have the life he once knew but the trauma
gets in the way. The emotional battle inside takes a piece of him little by
little to the point where he can not see his way clearly. For every two steps
forward he slides a little back but yet there is something inside him that
refuses to stay down. That is his saving grace!
Hardwick as Top has become the conscience that Ghost
doesn't want to deal with. Always with him, Top is a constant reminder of where
they have been together. Hardwick gives a performance of a friend that offers
strength and courage and we should all be so blessed to have a friend that
makes that kind of impact in our lives.
Rabe as Mary Anne is a woman who is also looking for
something that isn't exactly what she expects. Ghost does take advantage of
that for a bit but Rabe, as we all know from American Horror Story, can give as
good as she takes.
A shout out to Bordonada as Charlie Burroughs as a vet who
seems to be a target for every person with big-man-syndrome. Even when he goes
against Ghost, he discovers that there is someone else out there who
understands the fear and pain of war. Bordonada is a bit of the missing piece
for Ghost that can create a new path for them both.
Sinise as Larry makes an appearance and it must be said
that anytime he shows up in a film it is an experience but every time he shows
up in a film for vets it makes me love him even more. Dedicated to supporting
veterans, Sinise has become a recognizable face for the cause of our active,
wounded and retired service members.
Other cast include: JoBeth Williams as Sherry, Luis
Bordonada as Charlie Burroughs, Holt McCallany as Officer Callahan, Justin
Tucker as Farnsworth, Matthew Velez as Morley, Georgina Lighting as Emily
Saunders, Jay DeMarcus as Top Gunner and Gary Sinise as Larry.
Cinedigm is a leading distributor of amazing content in
storefronts, digital platforms, Internet and Demand platforms for cable
television. With an extensive library of over 52,000 films and television
shows, Docurama films, next-gen Indies and
Independent films. At its inception, Cinedigm has played a pioneering role in
transitioning movie theatres from traditional film prints to digital
distribution to advance worldwide cinema modernization. For more on what
Cinedigm has to offer please visit http://www.cinedigm.com.
Martini has pledged that 30% of SGT. WILL GARDNER's film
proceeds will go to charities that help soldiers with homelessness, Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury such as the character
Ghost suffers from.
SGT. WILL GARDNER is an amazing film in that it is simple,
straight forward and only a glimpse inside the lives of wounded service
members. Tough as nails on one hand and spiritually tired on the other, this
film shows that Ghost wants what everyone else wants - a simple life, love of
family and to be of help to others.
The reality for all who serve is, "Although it is
impossible to gauge accurately, the findings estimate approximately 50,000
veterans are still homeless on any given night in the United States of America
It is stirring to see, rough to feel and real enough to
take in what is happening to our veterans after serving our country.
In the end - sometimes the battle follows you home!
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