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BODY OF WAR Send This Review to a Friend
Anger has often been expressed over the some 4000 American soldiers killed in the misbegotten Iraq war, but not enough anguish has been spent over the thousands of wounded whose lives have been shattered. Ellen Spiro and Phil Donahue have produced and directed a powerful film that examines the life of one such victim, Tomas Young, who was paralyzed from the chest down and in his fight back has become an outspoken opponent of the war. “Body of War,” which was showcased at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival, tells the saga of Young against the background of the 2002 Congressional vote to authorize President Bush to go to war as he saw fit. Thus Young is not the only hero of the film. The 133 members of the house and the 23 members of the Senate who voted “no” were also heroic in political and moral terms, especially Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia, whose pleas against giving the president such power are vigorously captured on camera.
The film gains in impact as a result of its political scope, but the basic reason why it is a stunning, gut-wrenching film that rips into our emotions is the intimate portrait of the courageous Mr. Young. The filmmakers detail what his life has become and the efforts of those around him to help him as much as possible. Early in the film, after he is confined to a wheelchair upon return from the war, we witness his wedding, a poignant expression of love and hope. We see the devotion of his wife in helping him through the daily ordeal of just existing. (Later, we learn of the problems the marriage encountered.) We see how Young’s gallant mother cares for him and speaks out against the war, and we meet his step-father, who refuses to abandon his pro-war views.
The film is relentlessly candid. Young talks about his erectile problems. We see a heartrending scene in which his mother must help him urinate. He needs ice packs on warm days because his body temperature doesn’t regulate properly. Every moment is a struggle. But amazingly, Young keeps up the fight and, while not minimizing his difficulty, he repeatedly pulls himself together. He travels to give his anti-war message to various groups and participates in demonstrations.
His sense of humor comes through, as when he warns a group whom he is addressing that there may be a lot of “uhs” and hesitations as he talks. “I’m sorry if I sound presidential,” he quips.
The humanity reflected in the specifics of “Body of War” makes it one of the most potent films yet that addresses the devastation the misadventure has caused. Taking one case can be more effective than talking in terms of overall numbers. By framing the film within the political battle against the Bush Administration, the film makes an even stronger statement. One can only hope it is seen by a wide audience
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