Summary
The Plastic Men is a raw, psychologically intense film that lays bare the harsh realities of veteran trauma with uncompromising visuals and emotional depth, though its uneven pacing sometimes disrupts the flow.
The Plastic Men is certainly a psychological film that evolves as it progresses into its second and third acts. More poignantly, it is clear that director Samuel Gonzalez Jr. (The Retaliators) understands the perils of trauma, which serve as the film’s driving force. As the film advances, the trauma reveals itself like a fresh wound.
Near the start of the film, William Fichtner (as seen in 12 Strong, Hypnotic) decisively explains the term “The Plastic Men” in narration, which is a great decision for those unaware of the history of US veterans.
The term originated for U.S. veterans returning from Vietnam, highlighting how they were easily disregarded and discarded by society, much like plastic toy army men. An unexpected reference that comes to mind is how Andy from Toy Story carelessly flings his toy army men, which connects to this societal phenomenon. This analogy aptly encapsulates how veterans felt and how they were systematically treated. The horrors they endured were not adequately acknowledged at home. “Thank you for your service” was often met with an epidemic of mental illnesses.
The film follows Vietnam veteran Jonathan Teller (played by James Preston), who struggles with guilt and paranoid delusions. Feeling overwhelmed, Jonathan decides to end his life; however, as he wrestles with his choice and copes with his reality, he has a chance encounter that changes his perspective forever.
The Plastic Men, unsurprisingly, depicts the experiences of veterans suffering from various mental health issues. However, Gonzalez Jr. showcases his filmmaking talent by providing numerous highly visual shots that represent delusions, trauma, and PTSD. His portrayal of these themes is aggressive, unsettling, and thought-provoking.
You can tell that the film is a product of experiences, whether lived or shared. The director does not hold back, and I suspect that’s intentional. It’s hard to comprehend what forgotten veterans endure, and this film depicts their experiences as unpleasant, unpredictable, and horrifying as possible. It’s a directorial choice I admire. There are no shortcuts when it comes to trauma, and experiencing it is never meant to be easy.
What I appreciated about The Plastic Men by the time the credits rolled is the reward of such a heavy film. The story opens with tension reminiscent of Nocturnal Animals, where being on the road can be the most stressful experience of a person’s life. The situation escalates, almost villainously, to an unforgivable climax that makes you squint.
However, the terrifying, confusing, and almost hallucinatory experiences culminate in a beautiful outcome by the time you reach the pivotal, crucial third act. It rewards viewers who have endured the sensory experiences of PTSD and trauma portrayed in the film with a theme of hope and perspective.
A daunting scene from ‘The Plastic Men’
You see, The Plastic Men is inspired by a true story. The director found an advertisement on Craigslist from a Vietnam veteran searching for a woman who saved his life from committing suicide 40 years earlier. The ad is lonely and sad, featuring the hallmarks of romance, which embody the ultimate spirit of this film. It teaches viewers about the real tests and painful endurance one must overcome to lead a normal life again. It could be a scenic view, a book, a film, or a person. Perspective shifts in life can be powerful, and The Plastic Men articulates this beautifully.
It’s not a perfect film by any means. Gonzalez Jr. is working extremely hard here, but one could argue that the flow needs improvement. I refer to this as the “whiplash of film,” where sometimes the sequence of scenes can make you feel like your mind has been betrayed by a sudden pivot. It’s not common, but credit where credit is due: this is his second feature film, and he’s already establishing his own filmmaking style.
Regarding the performances, it’s safe to say that the cast showed up. They are genuine in their commitment to conveying the message. This is evident when the veterans gather in a support group; they fully invest themselves in the script.
The Plastic Men is visionary filmmaking. The director has a message, and he delivers it aggressively, but in many ways, subtly too.
