Never Give Up
Never Give Up is the story of Jerry Miller, a war veteran who suffers from Post-traumatic stress disorder. The film depicts the kind of life a military man has to live once his service is completed, and the images of war one have to endure every day for the rest of the life. It deals with the kind of psychological anguish that makes life after military hard to get by. Jerry Miller comes home after rendering his services to the country in hope of a new life with his wife, and his son. But with memories of war playing in his mind, living in constant irrational fear of death he fails to be a good husband and a father to look up to. The film is a reminder to all the men, and the women who had served in the defence forces of the country that seeking help does not mean that they are weak, instead, it will help their relationship with their loved ones stronger and will keep any extreme unnecessary decisions at bay.
The film falls under no particular genre and is most likely an attempt made in the light of public interest. The film opens with Amy being tackled by Jerry in an attempt to save her life from an imaginary target he thinks they are under. Amy who has had enough of his irrational fear breaks down saying that she cannot take it anymore. Jerry leaves home and drives contemplating about the difference in his lifestyle after his service in the forces. Flashes of every incident he faces from PTSD depict how incapacitated he is to go back to normal. In a frustration of not finding a job, he directs his anger towards his family. Jerry reaches a cemetery, where we infer from his emotions that he might have had lost a friend in the war which made him a victim of trauma. Jerry Miller wants to put an end to his unsettling fear. When he is on the verge of doing the irreversible, the images of his assuring wife flash in his mind. With almost unwavering confidence, Jerry walks away. Jerry decides to open himself up to a counsellor, and takes control of his life and family again.
Jillian Joy puts up a great convincing act of Amy Miller, wife of a man experiencing trauma and delusions. Jeremy Zaugg, however, has only been creditable in his portrayal of a war veteran. His actions might have been quick enough to convince of the stress he is under, but at times his emotions seemed too perfunctory. Wyatt Murdock as Tyson Miller deserves a special mention for his cute prayer filled with concern to make the situation better for his father. The confidence with which he walks away from shooting himself in the head is one such occasion which seriously undermines the efficiency of the director and the actor in the role. It was too little time and too huge a difference depicted, even for a short film. It is just one opinion and the film must be understood as a gesture dramatic enough to grab the attention of war veterans suffering from traumatic stress.
With a small cast, an important objective of the story has been achieved in the form of Never Give Up. It was set out to make a difference in the lives of people who has seen enough of war. Michael Corbett sends out a responsible message through this short. This film is for the benefit of the people who have fought for the country.
