I Am Soldier

Directed by:
Ronnie Thompson

Starring:
Duncan Casey
Lee Charles
Noel Clarke

 

Fancy going to the movies? I think it’s important to advise that step one in deciding what to see is to avoid ‘’I Am Soldier’’ like a plague-ridden dung sandwich. Sure the plot is basic and the lack of budget and instantly recognisable actors makes the film an easy target but many companies have proved before that a combination of solid acting from unknown stars and a decent, logical plot can cover up fiscal inadequacies. ‘’28 Days Later’’ anyone? 

‘’I Am Soldier’’, directed by Ronnie Thompson and starring Tom Hughes as Ricky Tomlinson, has the strangest of plots. The movie sees Ricky trying to become one of the elite in the British army’s SAS, a tactical division that it is extremely hard to get into. In fact, the central theme of the film is the difficult training. Ignore the side-plots, ignore the budding friendships, the love story and the most awkward pint-drinking ever witnessed on the big screen: this movie is all about how difficult the training is.

Sound familiar? Make no mistake - this is a British take on the 1987 classic ‘’Full Metal Jacket’’.

But it is in the format and plot that the similarity shall end. Where ‘’Full Metal Jacket’’ is packed with intense acting, satirical self-depreciation and dark humour, ‘’I Am Soldier’’ relies on cringe-worthy one-liners, ham-acting and even the uber-basic plot completely deteriorates towards the end. Even the fantastic camera work, slick editing and excellent score cannot save this movie. 

Anyone who has seen the film it is trying to emulate can probably ramble off lines at will, such as the iconic:

‘’762 millimetre. Full metal jacket.’’

‘’I Am Soldier’’ on the other hand relies on that tool that is becoming more prevalent on the big screens these days - the stare -here the viewer must assume that what is not being said is what is being intended. While this works fantastically well in 2011’s ‘’Drive’’, this movie lacks the suspense needed for such a tool and as a result the film is filled with silence and cardboard acting that Keanu Reeves would be proud of.

If you want to see an intense movie about the trials of training for combat, I don’t need to tell you by now where to go. If you want to watch an 87 minute recruitment film for the SAS, then ‘’I Am Soldier’’ is just for you.

Rating: Uu