Three intersecting plot threads barely hang together in this soldier’s story of a Marine who brings the war in Afghanistan home with him. The basic training and combat footage are strictly standard issue, ditto the reverse-angle grilling military counselor Gary Oldman gives returning vet, Shia LaBeouf. (Lucky Oldman never leaves his chair.) But it’s the audience that takes a bullet in the form of a contrived PTSD video game fantasy that finds LaBeouf searching for his missing son. Turns out the biggest enemy is lighting cameraman Shelly Johnson. Not wanting to shed light on the situation, characters spend their daylight hours feeling around in stylized darkness. Turn on a light! Worthy of note among naysayers, with this and American Honey, LaBeouf is finally transforming into an actor worth watching. Shame on director-co-writer Dito Montiel for ending a purported anti-war film on a sentimental note. With Kate Mara providing strong support as Mrs. LeBeouf. (2016) — Scott Marks
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