Hope and Healing in ‘Max’
Director: Boaz Yakin
Cast: Josh Wiggins, Robbie Amell, Thomas Haden Church, Lauren Graham, Luke Kleintank
They say that when a person experiences an excruciating trauma, they must invariably face a journey in the aftermath of such a tragedy; a journey that will shatter their lives, challenge their emotions, and in time, allow them to heal and to live again.
When a soldier’s life is lost in war, his death not only shatters the lives of his family, but his loyal dog, Max, as well. Heartbroken and alone, Max’s life also hangs in the balance until he meets Kyle’s brother Justin. As they begin their journey towards healing, Justin and Max form a strong bond that allows both of them to find the courage to live again.
There is a very powerful bond between Max and the two sons – Kyle and Justin – in this movie. The bond between Max and the elder brother, Kyle, is forged from absolute trust. They are both soldiers fighting in the heart of a war, and the connection they share allows them to protect each other. When Kyle is killed, the other Marines believe that Max can no longer be trusted, but I disagree. I believe that Max’s world has been completely shattered by Kyle’s death and he doesn’t understand why Kyle is no longer there with him. As I watched the film, I could hear the anguish in Max’s cry as he lay by Kyle’s coffin. He’s not aggressive; he’s just scared.
The bond shared between Max and the younger brother, Justin, is unique in a different way. I believe that Max initially bonds with Justin because he recognizes that the suffering that he and Justin share stems from a common source; they have both lost someone they love. While at first Justin wants nothing to do with his brother’s dog, his frozen heart begins to soften and slowly lets Max into his lonely world. As their bond grows stronger, Justin finds himself comforting Max when he is suffering and protecting him when no one else will.
© 2013 – 2016 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.
Director: Boaz Yakin
Cast: Josh Wiggins, Robbie Amell, Thomas Haden Church, Lauren Graham, Luke Kleintank
They say that when a person experiences an excruciating trauma, they must invariably face a journey in the aftermath of such a tragedy; a journey that will shatter their lives, challenge their emotions, and in time, allow them to heal and to live again.
When a soldier’s life is lost in war, his death not only shatters the lives of his family, but his loyal dog, Max, as well. Heartbroken and alone, Max’s life also hangs in the balance until he meets Kyle’s brother Justin. As they begin their journey towards healing, Justin and Max form a strong bond that allows both of them to find the courage to live again.
There is a very powerful bond between Max and the two sons – Kyle and Justin – in this movie. The bond between Max and the elder brother, Kyle, is forged from absolute trust. They are both soldiers fighting in the heart of a war, and the connection they share allows them to protect each other. When Kyle is killed, the other Marines believe that Max can no longer be trusted, but I disagree. I believe that Max’s world has been completely shattered by Kyle’s death and he doesn’t understand why Kyle is no longer there with him. As I watched the film, I could hear the anguish in Max’s cry as he lay by Kyle’s coffin. He’s not aggressive; he’s just scared.
The bond shared between Max and the younger brother, Justin, is unique in a different way. I believe that Max initially bonds with Justin because he recognizes that the suffering that he and Justin share stems from a common source; they have both lost someone they love. While at first Justin wants nothing to do with his brother’s dog, his frozen heart begins to soften and slowly lets Max into his lonely world. As their bond grows stronger, Justin finds himself comforting Max when he is suffering and protecting him when no one else will.
© 2013 – 2016 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.