I'm a long time fan of Mike Rowe. He represents a perspective on work, education, and the nature of both that is in short supply and low demand in our current culture. This is unfortunate because if his perspective were more readily adopted and embraced, education and work would be infused with at least a little more sanity than we see today. Modernity undercuts sanity in a million ways, but Mike Rowe is swimming upstream, doing his part to combat the craziness.
As much as I am a fan of Rowe, I had absolutely no idea that he had produced a movie that's playing in theaters. I learned this bit of information from my dear friend, a much bigger Mike Rowe fan than I am. For my recently passed birthday, she treated me to a ticket to watch the film. It was a refreshing change from the nihilism and darkness that permeates much of the entertainment industry.
If you're at familiar with Rowe's podcast titled The Way I Heard It, then picture those true stories dramatized on the big screen. That is exactly what the film is. You can see the trailer here:
I liked the film, and I appreciated the unapologetic patriotism it presented. Whatever my issues with the current state of the US, and they are many, it is still true that good and noble people pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor for the cause of liberty. Rowe succeeds in his valiant effort to push back against the "hate America first" spirit that seems to permeate the discourse of our day. For that, he is to be commended.
His decision to tape in the heartland (OK) using only local actors and crew from Oklahoma was huge bonus in my book. The locals did an excellent job!
Grade: B-
* The B- is not based on any particular flaw with the film as much as my own evolving understanding of some of our nation's sacred cows. In this case, I refer to the Civil Rights movement in particular, although the story told was a pretty good one.
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