The time is 1876 and the war is over and has left its everlasting impressions on everyone, mainly on U.S. Army Lt. Col. Nathan Algren (cruise). He is devasted by the things he saw and had to do while under command. His alone escape is heavy drinking and tortured solitude. On this brink of giving up and dropping out,on his job of hawking guns to the general public, he's presented with an offer to help train Japan's burgeoning army in the art of modern weaponry. With nothing better to do, he takes the job.

 

     When he arrives in Japan, he is presented with an army of thousands and begins teaching Japanese conscripts and peasants how to fight like Americans. Despite his attempts to prevent a battle before the japanese troops are ready, They are thrown into a battle with rebel samurai warriors.

     Nathen is captured and brought to a small village high in the mountains as a prisoner of war. Impressed by his fighting skills and passion and courage to fight till the end, the samurai leader, Katsumoto, spares his life hoping to better "know his enemy better" and to have conversations.

 

     In this village he is cared after by the wife of a man he killed in the battle. Faithfully, doing her duty within the confines of her culture, she obeys her brother (Katsumoto) when he tells her to care for "The American." Her humble, self-sacrificial behavior is not lost on Nathan, who finds himself inspired to become a better man because of it. He overcomes alcoholism and despair, settles on a new cause commit to and a new people to protect.

 

     This film's main themes are that of honor, respect, humility and servant-leadership, friendship and sacrifice. It reminds me of Braveheart in many ways. If you are looking for something to watch that will show you what having honor will do for you, this is it.

 

Rating:

    

     17 years old Novalee Nation is uneducated, pregnant and abandoned at a Wal-Mart store in Sequoyah, Oklamhoma. With no where to go and no one to help her, she spends her days and nights living in the Wal-mart while making friends with people that will ultimately be there for her in ways she never knew possible.

     Sister Husband is the kind leader of the towns "Welcome Wagon'' and mistakes Novalee for a distant realtive and extends so much kindness and even tells her to come stay with her if need be.

     Moses Whitecotton is a photographer at the Wal-mart and enstills in Novalee that her baby needs to have a strong name, one that will withstand tough times and a lot of hurt. He eventually opens up a world for Novalee she never knew existed.

     Benny Goodluck, an 10 year old indian boy whose life passion was running. He eventually is the key to the beginning of Novalee's passion.

    

     This story is heart warming and extremely page turning. I read the 376 page book in 2 days. I couldn't put it down. I would recomend this book to anyone, but girls would definately enjoy it. It shows that no matter the obstacles, if you surround yourself with friends and they support you, you can do anything you set your heart on.

 

Rating:

****