My Brother’s Keeper approaches the issue of PTSD and its effects on both the soldier and the people around him. When Travis (T.C. Stallings) loses his best friend in Afghanistan, he comes home to the house where he grew up.
He has worked multiple tours of duty. These tours have piled losses and pain onto the man’s psyche. Added to that load is his belief that the deaths of his parents were not a “driver error” accident.
His pain manifests in his anger. Anger at himself as much as pointed at others.
This film is the story of his search for truth and healing. His friends shepherd him toward both the church and a PTSD support group. Pastor Hood (Jeff Rose) and Tiffany (Keshia Knight Pulliam) work with Travis, sometimes succeeding and other times watching him backslide. But this is normal in recovery.
There are several external influences that keep Travis agitated as he works through the process of dealing with them. His budding relationship with Tiffany appears to help, as does his return to his faith.
My Brother’s Keeper was a surprisingly hard film to watch and harder to review. In part, because I am dealing with someone close to me who is experiencing a form of PTSD. What everyone needs to see and believe is that in the world today, we see all sorts of stories about our military and first responders dealing with this disorder. But the simple truth is that your mother, your brother, your sister, or your neighbor could all be dealing with trauma that makes everyday life difficult. Sometimes, to the point where they simply shut down.
When you watch this film, and if someone in your life is dealing with these issues, please use this as a starting point for talking to them. Most of us need help from time to time – these folks, more than most.
I found this film well-made and worth watching. Hopefully, it can open more eyes than the films that put a man or woman in situations that require them to take up arms to protect their families and town.
Director: Kevan Otto
Cast: T.C. Stallings, Joey Lawrence, Robert Ri’chard, Gregory Alan Williams, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Blue Kimble, Shannen Fields, Jeff Rose, Kruz Valero, Ty Manns, Vj Roberts, Derrick Gilliam, Stephanie Katz
MPA Rating: PG-13 (for thematic material and some violence)
Selig Rating: 4 Stars
Runtime: 97 Min.
Release Date: 03/19/2020
Language: English
Genre(s): Drama, Family
Movie Site: MY BROTHER’S KEEPER Official Site
Trailer: MY BROTHER’S KEEPER Trailer
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.
4 Stars – Good movie/show
3 Stars – OK movie/show
2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…
1 Star – Total waste of time.