The Keeper has a lot to tell, but little to show

MPAA Rating: R
Reel Rating: 2 out of 5 reels

The phenomenon of veteran suicide is a horrible reality that deserves more attention. Based on a true story, The Keeper attempts to provide a sobering meditation on the issue but fails on a basic cinematic commandment. It has a lot to tell but precious little to show. That doesn’t mean it is worthless as an experience, but it is hard to recover for the race when you trip out of the gate.

The film begins with George (Angus Benfield), a middle-aged, out-of-shape veteran going through a normal day, when he hears that a fellow comrade has attempted suicide. With his friend’s life in the balance, he decides to escape from the grind by going on the Appalachian Trail, a two-thousand-mile trek down the eastern United States. George carries on his pack the name tags of 363 veteran suicides, to honor them and bring awareness (there are nearly 20 veteran suicides a day in the U.S.).

Along the way, he meets a myriad cast of characters including a young female grunt struggling in a man’s world, a father camping with his young son after his wife’s recent death, and a nerdy Marine who is frequently the brunt of his Army friends’ inter-military jokes. All this culminates in a Shyamalan-esque ending that’s neat, but it’s such a slog to get there that the reveal is underwhelming.

And, unfortunately, this film is incredibly boring. Every time George meets someone new, he launches into a three-minute expository essay about his purpose, which occurs at least a half dozen times. Most scenes involve either common military banter or long speeches about life’s problems. This is usually done in a two shot with minimal visual stimulation. The stories are sad but quickly become repetitive, especially from George himself. Oddly, nearly every person George meets is a veteran with an extremely tragic backstory. Sometimes they are friendly, sometimes aggressive, but they are never out for a leisurely stroll.

There are only two moments of genuine “action” in the film, The first occurs after George learns his friend doesn’t survive. He responds by attempting suicide himself, only to have another group of vets randomly find and stop him. They brutally chastise him and threaten to remove the names he has nearly dishonored. George grudgingly apologizes, but the audience never learns why he is suicidal.

Indeed, there is never a serious conversation about why veterans might experience depression or PSTD. There is no talk of God, dealing with suffering, the nature of evil, or any related matters. Life just sucks, and suicide isn’t the answer—but no one in The Keeper seems to knows a solution.

The second action sequence is a major twist that does give extra meaning to the film, but also raises as many questions as answers.

Sometimes it is fun to write a bad review, but there is no joy in discussing this film’s poor choices. PSTD, depression, and suicide are significant realities for many veterans and their families. My family has a veteran neighbor who had a serious mental health emergency last year, which led to his hospitalization. Praise God, he survived and is doing better.

The serious flaw of George’s story is not the content but the presentation. Had these tales been portrayed on a multi-episode podcast or written better, it would have been many times more effective. Despite the less than stellar quality of the film, it does leave the viewer with a sense of appreciation for the sacrifices of these men and women. I pray for all veterans, especially those struggling with suicide, to find the peace that passes all understanding and the support of a grateful nation.