An important film that questions the U. S. policy of "stop-loss" or forcing soldiers whose tours of duty are over to re-deploy to Iraq--basically a 'back-door draft, ' as one character states. Ryan Phillippe is very good as the lead, a decorated soldier who chooses to go AWOL when told that he will be stop-lossed. He is forced to make some difficult decisions. The film puts us into these soldiers' lives as they fight in Iraq and later, when they have difficulties in civilian life. Some important issues are raised, such as how much must a soldier risk for what is essentially an illegal war, as well as the plight of soldiers' families who also suffer. Well worth seeing.

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