Review: "Sheepdog" brings veteran experiences to the big screen

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The new drama Sheepdog is undeniably a tough movie to watch. It’s about veterans teetering on the edge: men trying to reclaim some part of their lives after facing traumatic pasts. It’s a film that aims to put a spotlight on veterans and their struggles while also showing that there’s a path forward for those struggling with tragedies and hardships in their past.

It is tough to watch but it's also worth your time as it shows how veterans can and often do find hope after making sacrifices and facing difficult hardships.  

The film’s title references a quote from Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman that appears in the movie’s opening moments. Grossman once wrote, “I’m a sheepdog. I live to protect the flock and confront the wolf.” In combat, the wolf is the enemy solider but as this feature explores, veterans often return home needing to confront the daunting task of transitioning back into normal life.

Steven Grayhm wrote, directed and stars in the feature. He plays Calvin Cole, a veteran -- in a moment of intense anxiety-- attacks a man in a store in front of his wife and young child. Something in Cole's mind triggered him to confront a complete stranger and that leads Cole to a court-mandated treatment program, where he has to face his past with Dr. Elecia Knox (Virginia Madsen), a Combat Trauma specialist-in-training.

While Cole confronts his emotional past, Cole’s former father-in-law Whitney St. Germain (Vondie Curtis-Hall), a Vietnam veteran, returns to to his life. After being released from prison, St. Germain returns to town, hoping to rebuild a relationship with his daughter Alice St. Germain (Lilli Cooper).

Grayhm's script manages to balance a number of storylines, many of which are focused on the experiences many veterans have faced after coming home. From dealing with protestors in the Vietnam era to facing isolation and post-traumatic stress, the feature highlights these issues in a real and heartfelt way. It’s hard not to appreciate Grayhm’s willingness to show these difficult issues onscreen.

There are times, however, when the flashbacks undercut the current narrative. There are a few scenes where it’s hard to determine if certain scenes are flashbacks. The feature flashes back to Cole's relationship with his children but it's unclear when these scenes occur in the narrative until later in the story.

Additionally, Cole's best friend Darryl Sparks (Matt Dallas) isn't given enough to do here. Sparks is an important character in the narrative but the character isn't given enough to do here. A fellow veteran himself, Sparks has a role to play here but it often feels like his character never gets as fleshed-out as some of the other characters. 

The final act brings a number of characters together, leading to a few strong scenes. The feature never settles for easy answers and doesn't tie everything up neatly. Instead, it shows that while certain relationships and issues can improve, there are other situations that end in tragedy.

For those interested and open to learning about veterans and how their experiences overseas can shape their return home, Sheepdog is a must-see. It never offers simple resolutions; instead, it tells a compelling story that sheds light on veteran issues that are too often overlooked.