For some reason people in the US tend to steer clear of
documentaries. I think in part that has a lot to do with the one sided take
most US documentary film makers have chosen, that of an involved participant
with an axe to grind as opposed to a non-involved film maker attempting to
capture the reality of the moment. True, no matter how hard you try to stay
objective, your values and beliefs will come through. But it seems like most
documentary film makers today take pride in displaying their beliefs before you
even have a chance to watch their movie and most often these days that involves
slamming someone, manipulating facts to your previously held conclusions or
just plain using tabloid techniques to twist the story to fit your goal (can
you say Michael Moore?). That being said I am sure that there was an opinion
formed by the makers of MURPH: THE PROTECTOR. Fortunately that opinion was one
of praise as opposed to how much dirt could be dug up.
Michael P. Murphy was your typical American boy for so many
years with the exception that while some chose to pick on the little guy he
always seemed to end up the defender. Told with a combination of family photos
and interviews with family and friends, we get a glimpse into the formative
years of this young man. Some may already know what he achieved but for others
this is the beginnings of a story so many have come to be a part of in their
own way, with their own families.
As he grew Murphy went on to accomplish many things. He was
a comfort to his brother, a great son to both of his parents and he eventually
went on to be an outstanding college student who was easy going and made plenty
of friends. And then, after graduation, he made a decision to join the Navy.
Not only that, he wanted to become a SEAL, the best of the best. As with all of
the plans he made, he accomplished his goal. It was in his career as a SEAL
that his name was brought to the attention of the world down the line.
As part of Operation Red Wing, a counter insurgent group in
Afghanistan, in June of 2005, Murphy and 2 other members of his four man squad
were killed in action. The fourth member of the squad, Marcus Luttrel, barely
made it out alive but was the only survivor of the battle between this squad
and insurgents there. If the name Luttrel sounds familiar it's because he went
on to write a book about those events which became the basis for the hit film
LONE SURVIVOR. By surviving and writing the book Luttrel has received
attention, but Murphy is never far from his mind or from those who knew him and
share those memories in this film.
Near the end of the film we are privy to the memories of his
mother talking about meeting then President George W. Bush as Murphy was
posthumously presented with the Medal of Honor. It's a touching story that
shows not only the feelings of this mother who lost her son but gives us a
glimpse of the man who Bush was behind the scenes, a man who felt her pain and
shared it with her to the extent that was possible.
There are no action sequences in this film. It is almost all
straight on head shots in interviews intermingled with the family photos I
mentioned earlier. There are some filmed portions with Murphy on screen but
they are rare. The best part of the film though isn't the way it was put
together but in learning about the life of this young man who gave his life for
his country. In a world where we make heroes out of million dollar earning
movie stars and sports figures perhaps we need to see more about true heroes
who deserve to be called just that. When this movie is finished you might think
differently about what a hero truly is. Michael P. Murphy fit those criteria
completely. So do the makers of this film for bringing his story to us. My
guess is you won't see them honored by Hollywood but that shouldn't be a
surprise.
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