Above & Beyond (2001)

This movie was actually a lot better than I thought it would be. The cast is excellent in this film. This film is very emotional. While I didn't necessarily like the way things may have turned out in the film in terms of the ending, it definitely left food for thought. There was an excellent use of foreshadowing in the writing, and all in all it really exposed a decent part of the human condition. My favorite actor, Costas Mandylor did an amazing job of playing a paralyzed cop and I believe this film showcased his versatile acting skills. I also liked his character as a whole because ultimately the character had a great sense of integrity and throughout the film the character also had genuine humanity. The rest of the actors as a whole also did an excellent job so I give props to the actors, the director, and the casting director on that one. Once again this film is very emotional, and I would even say it sent me on an emotional roller coaster. There were times of happiness in the film, as well as wonderment, drama, sadness, anger, and laughter. A really decent film for a TV movie, and one I would enjoy watching again.

This is one of the most disappointing movies I have ever seen, mainly because of the ending. Even though there were a lot of weak spots in the movie, I still had some hopes that it could be saved with a good ending. Even though the best friend's comments early in the movie made it clear what his feelings were, the plot allowed him to realize them through his own misdeeds. The husband's choice at the end made absolutely no sense. There were so many options that were available to him, and his choice was the least palatable. The final shot of the movie was the last straw, and had me shouting obscenities that I had wasted my time watching this movie. I watched it this morning on a cable network and I feel very disappointed that I allowed this movie to ruin my whole day.

A movie about a married couple and their best friend.Michael (Costas Mandylor) and Peter (Adam Baldwin) are cops. In a take-down, Peter accidentally shoots Michael and he may never walk again. Rumors fly—was it an accident? Did Peter do it to get Jill (whom he is secretly in love with)? Michael struggles with his own emotions but in the process, he shuts Jill (Alexandra Paul) out. Then he comes to terms with the situation, and gives Peter and Jill his blessing.Slow at times, but overall a good movie. Shows a lot of human emotions that sometimes conflict with each other. Make sure you have a box of Kleenex handy.

This is a very poorly written movie. A police officer accidentally shoots his partner/best friend and paralyzes him. The movie fades from there to nothing. It is obvious that whoever wrote the story worships the physical aspects of life, and nothing more. The paralyzed cop refuses to touch his young wife after the accident. Why? Because he's a 'poor little me'. He basically pushes his wife onto the partner who shot him, and she goes, willingly. Well, folks, if that is all you think life is... sex and physicality... you're emotionally somewhere between 15 and 19 years old. Because that's NOT all there is! If the paralyzed cop really loved his wife he would honor his covenant with her. He still had full use of his arms, and they do make 'devices' for paraplegics that makes sex possible.But there is so much more to life than sex and youthful physical exuberance. This movie was a MAJOR letdown and I am sorry I watched (okay, I was working on my book at the time, so thankfully I only 'half'watched it.) Don't waste your time with this movie. It doesn't begin to explore what it could have explored. The 'for better or for worse' aspects of the marriage covenant. True friendship. The guy who shot his partner could have done penance by building the house the paralyzed guy wanted to build for his wife. The wife could have understood her husband's pain and fear and with unconditional love, overcome both. The paralyzed husband could have understood that 'no man is an island' and reached out to his wife and his best friend for help. People need to be needed more than they need to be loved. Giving and receiving. Receiving and giving. The writer COULD have explored the complexities of life and love, man and woman, but alas!, he couldn't think past his biceps and gonads. Too bad. If I ever meet him, I'm gonna kick him in the .... cause he wasted an hour of my time! (okay, 30 minutes, as I was only half-watching this pile of horse manure.)