Things We Lost in the Time of War

Author(s): T.D.
Location: Killeen, TX

"Things We Lost in the Time of War"

Directed by Paul Haggis
Written by Paul Haggis & Mark Boal
Distributed by 20th Century Fox
Produced by Laurence Becsey & Steve Samuels
Art Direction by Brandee Dell’Aringa
Set Decoration by Linda Lee Sutton
Cinematography by Roger Deakins
Costumes by Lisa Jensen
Editing by Hughes Winborne
Music by Philip Glass

Main Cast

Peter Fonda as Edmund Fowler
Susan Sarandon as Ann Marie Fowler
Kimberly Elise as Dyan Jenkins
Matt Dillon as Tom Cavett
Laura Linney as Rachel Cavett
Emile Hirsch as Brighton Wallace

Tagline: "They thought that the Army would’ve kept them safe from death…"

Synopsis: It all began one morning when Ann Marie (Sarandon) woke up to a phone call from the Army. She receives the news about the death of her grandson Eric in a tragic shooting in Fallujah, and she hangs up. Tears run down her eyes as she walks into the bathroom to tell her husband Edmund (Fonda) the news. The two sit in the kitchen quietly, thinking that this can’t be happening to them and that their grandson can’t be death. The door bell rings. Edmund answers the door and sees his neighbor Dyan (Elise), who is sad as well. She tells them that she received news that Herbert, her husband, was killed in a bomb incident in Iraq , and begins to cry. The door bell rings. As Ann Marie comforts Dyan and tells her about her grandson’s death, Edmund answers the door and sees the Cavetts.

Tom (Dillon) and Rachel (Linney) came over, with tears in their eyes, to tell them that they received news that their son was killed in Iraq , and that the Army isn’t sure of what his death was. Ann Marie takes Rachel and Dyan into the kitchen, and all three of them share their grievances over the lost of their loved ones. While the ladies sit in the kitchen, Edmund and Tom go for a walk to talk and think things out. As they walk down the street, they run into Brighton (Hirsch), a gay man who has been in a secret relationship with Eric ever since high school. When Edmund tells him that he and Tom’s son were killed in Iraq , Brighton leaves and goes inside the house and cries. He sits on the couch and takes the picture of his boyfriend and looks at it. After much staring, he changes clothes, takes the picture and goes to the Fowlers’ house.

The door bell rings. Ann Marie answers the door and sees Brighton . She invites him in at the table and the three ladies tell him everything. As they finish, Brighton tells them that he will miss Eric and that he’s been in a relationship with him. Ann Marie, disgusted and angry, slaps Brighton and goes out onto the patio. Dyan follows her, and Ann Marie tells her that Eric has been lying to her and Edmund all these years about him being straight. Dyan tells her that she shouldn’t be mad, not during the lost of Eric, but should be happy that he lived a great life and that he had someone to care for him. Brighton walks onto the patio and tells Ann Marie that he is sorry if he’d hurt her in any way, but she forgives him. The three walk back into the house and sees Edmund and Tom back and Rachel cooking lunch for everyone. They all sit at table, and began to thank God for their loved ones, and that all of the ones around the table would be given the strength to move on in their lives.

What the Press would say:

Paul Haggis presents a touching story of ordinary people come together to grieve over the most important things in their lives – their loved ones. Each of the characters delivered a powerful performance, but the standouts were Susan Sarandon as the caring and grief stricken grandmother who manages to comfort the people around her, Peter Fonda as her wise and quiet husband, Emile Hirsch as the gay neighbor who has had an affair with the Fowlers’ grandson, and finally Kimberly Elise as a woman who keeps the grandmother calm and strong.

This is a film that no one should miss. It has everything a great film needs: an amazing director such as Haggis, a wonderful script written by Haggis and Boal, and an outstanding film editor. Coming this October will be an inspiring and uplifting film that leave you in tears and will make you stay strong to the men and women serving our nation.

For Your Consideration

Best Picture
Best Director – Paul Haggis
Best Actress – Susan Sarandon
Best Supporting Actor – Peter Fonda, Emile Hirsch
Best Supporting Actress – Kimberly Elise
Best Original Screenplay – Paul Haggis and Mark Boal
Best Film Editing