Seven percent of military veterans will suffer with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at some point in their lives, meaning that millions of individuals’ lives will be altered drastically as a result of them fighting for the freedoms of the rest of the United States. Here. Is. Better. tells the story of four military veterans suffering from PTSD and their journey toward recovery. They are mothers, political hopefuls, sons, and wives–and while their lives all differ from one another, their struggles are incredibly similar. These are their stories, their only hope at a second chance.
Here. Is. Better. is slow from the second it opens until its closing moments. This seems like it might hinder the film, like it might make it unbearable at times. To a degree that’s true; there are moments that seem to drag on and on without an end in sight. These moments, however daunting in terms of the film, reflect the far more daunting reality that the subjects of this documentary deal with on a regular basis. Narratively this is brilliant, pulling viewers into the orbit of those individuals and allowing us to understand (at least to some degree) that slow burn that they experience each and every day.
Viewers have to be able to look past the fact that Here. Is. Better. is slow, that it takes its time to develop, and appreciate the purpose of that aspect of the film. The reality is, however, that not everyone will be able to understand and/or appreciate this about Here. Is. Better., and the film will be challenging to some as a result. This approach is subtle, and I don’t blame anyone for not being able to see this.
With the slow, calculated nature of Here. Is. Better., I truly believe that Director Jack Youngelson understands this about his film. I believe he knows how the majority of viewers will see his film and he knows what challenges both he and they will face throughout its duration. This level of expertise is strewn throughout the entirety of Here. Is. Better., and it strengthens the film, allowing those viewers who are able to understand this to better appreciate the film as a whole.
I always have to ask myself if a documentary is worth making, if the subject matter is enough to keep viewers engaged and entertained. Then I question whether or not the subject is presented to viewers in a way that doesn’t try to persuade, but rather just inform and educate–allowing viewers to form their own informed decision. With that being said, it’s clear that Here. Is. Better. wants to make change, that it wants to see the world come to the aid of those that have fought for our freedoms–but it does a wonderful job of remaining objective. With a topic so serious, so dire, it would have been easy for these filmmakers to begin expressing their own opinions as the film progressed, but they leave that bit out. They continue to move forward with facts and vivid examples of what PTSD can do–and they will likely find an audience willing to listen, looking toward change as a result of their expertise and professionalism.
PTSD is a disorder that flies under the radar far too often, and when it’s out in the open it’s looked at with condemnation (not always, but far more than it should). Here. Is. Better. does a stellar job of shedding light on such an important subject, remaining objective, and allowing viewers access to the struggle that the subjects of the film face on a daily basis–and it’s captivating and effective.
Directed by Jack Youngelson.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
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