Courage Doesn't Ask (2007) Reviews

• Courage Doesn't Ask

  jilldalejd2013-10-18

  "Courage Doesn't Ask" (2007) turned out to be a prescient film about the horrors of modern warfare against the changing political backdrop of many who serve. By and large "Courage" is well acted, well written and well directed and is a straight-up blood-and-guts John Wayne style movie: good guys, bad guys, people dying on both sides. The hero gets his men through a vicious ambush and then himself falls victim to an IED, loosing a leg. The principal battle scene was shot night-for-night and you will believe it is an actual battle as no detail seems spared, including the helicopter gunship that saves the day. But the BIG reveal comes at the end in a simple walk-away superimposition: three of the cast members were awarded the Bronze Star for their own military service and were gay serving members of the military at the time. There is no gay story-line, however, and without the super you would not realize there is another more complex layer than merely what's playing out on the screen. This was made at the end of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" era, which is cleverly reflected in the title. "Courage Doesn't Ask" showed in 55 mainstream festivals winning awards and audience accolades for first timer Joe Acton. Whether he decides to stay in the genre remains to be seen, but he has the eye and drama for film.