Thank You for Your Service

What it's about:

A group of U.S. soldiers returns from Iraq, struggling to reintegrate into family and civilian life, while living with the memory of a war that threatens to destroy them long after they’ve left the battlefield.

What we thought:

Lately, Miles Teller has been making great career choices.

Apart from that Fantastic Four mishap – he’s really homed in on a genre that fits him like a glove. Testosterone driven roles with a touch of “fighting spirit” seem to work well for him. 

Think Whiplash, Bleed for This, Only the Brave and now Thank You for Your Service. These films not only share a common theme but also required a lot from Teller - both mentally and physically.

During a recent phone call with the 30-year-old star to discuss his role as Sgt. Adam Schumann, Teller said it was important for him to get this right: “I got to meet Adam and I now consider him a true friend of mine. He’s a complex and selfless person and I really wanted to do justice to the role.” (Read the full interview here)

His commitment to the role, which included a six-day boot camp, has really paid off providing a raw and honest look at how soldiers returning from war deal with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

Through his realistic portrayal Teller allows the viewer to be a fly-on-the-wall and witness first-hand the reality so many men and women must face when they try to readjust to civilian life after witnessing death on an almost daily basis. 

Whilst soldiers are treated like heroes during a time of war, they are often neglected and pushed aside when returning to reality. The systems and protocols put in place to aid them during this time are often overcrowded, complex and riddled with paperwork. This results in many turning to alcohol, drugs or even suicide to escape the darkness that haunts them. 

Teller’s character doesn’t have any physical injuries, like his fellow soldiers, but the mental ones he must carry cut so deep that it nearly destroys him. The fact that his scars aren’t visual make it even more difficult for his friends and family to understand what he is going through. 

Films like Thank You for Your Service are important because they help in showing a different perspective and starting a dialogue. Based on the book written by journalist David Finkel about Schumann’s experiences in Iraq and returning home thereafter, the film unapologetically asks what is being done to support these soldiers who put their lives on the line to protect others. 

Everything about this film including the screenplay, written by Jason Hall who also wrote the screenplay for 2014’s Oscar-nominated American Sniper, is expertly crafted and well-made. 

Sure, it’s not a relaxing or laidback trip to the cinema – but it’s definitely one that’s worth your time and attention. Thank You for Your Service handles such an important subject so expertly that it deserves to be watched.