Restrepo (2010)

Private First Class Juan “Doc” Restrepo was killed in action soon after his platoon’s deployment to the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan, considered one of the most lethal areas on Earth by the U.S. military. In death, this American soldier gave his name to both a critical outpost and an impressive documentary, Restrepo, which chronicles just over a year in the lives of brave men fighting what is no longer a forgotten war.

Filmmakers Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger joined the men of Battle Company on their deployment, led by Captain Dan Kearney, a cool-headed officer determined to have better success within the Korengal than his predecessor did. Their landing post is isolated, and the road beyond its gate is very short–“Where the road ends, the Taliban begins,” Kearney explains. His solution is to extend the Army’s presence further into the valley by establishing an outpost, “O.P. Restrepo,” in an overnight maneuver. Its prominent location draws frequent enemy fire, but the men hold and secure the outpost as a second base of operations in the valley.

This remarkable film is produced by National Geographic, and fans of their nature documentaries will find human behavior captured in the same exacting detail. There are some truly harrowing moments and deeply emotional reactions, but the film doesn’t wallow in gore or the bloody horrors of war. Instead, there’s a near-constant feeling of tension, as the audience gets a sense of what these soldiers endured every day, always on edge, waiting for enemy gunfire from any direction.

There’s also unmistakable tension from the diplomatic angle, as Captain Kearney tries to win over the hearts and minds of the local elders with weekly meetings or “shuras,” but becomes frustrated as these old men are unable or unwilling to understand the offers of jobs and progress the Army could bring to the region. A farmer and two elders demand compensation from the Army after a cow became entangled in concertina wire, but an equivalent amount of rice, sugar, and other food supplies is not acceptable–they only want money. The people of Korengal hate the U.S. military for killing “innocent” people, but they fear the Taliban even more.

Restrepo repeatedly shows the quiet heroism and bravery of our sons, neighbors, and friends–all otherwise ordinary men in extraordinary circumstances. In one fascinating scene, a soldier climbs halfway out a window to adjust his gun emplacement–in full view of potential enemy fire–while juggling a walkie-talkie to answer questions from a fellow G.I. about his family’s ranch. The many interview segments also add emotional depth, with the soldiers directly addressing the camera following firefights, failed diplomatic negotiations, and all manner of other setbacks. Going home physically intact is one thing, but surviving the memories and emotions of the Korengal Valley is another matter.

Despite the absence of shock value and structured narrative, Restrepo begs comparison to such detailed fictional depictions of war as Paths of Glory, Full Metal Jacket, and The Hurt Locker. However, comparisons between these works are inadequate, as Restrepo is a work of reality. While the soldiers care for one another and endure the highs and lows of military service in a barren land, the film delivers a naked emotional honesty that no screenwriter could ever hope to duplicate.

It’s easy for someone to place a yellow ribbon on their car and say they’re supporting the troops, especially when one’s political ideology aligns with those who took our country into war in the first place. After seeing Restrepo, I feel like shaking the hand of every serviceman in gratitude, and I encourage everyone, even if you don’t see this movie or have any loved ones in the service, to write a member of the military (try the Ram Trucks “Letters For Lyrics” program, for example) or make a tangible contribution to the USO. Remind these brave men and women that their efforts are deeply appreciated.