Movies based on true stories often have plenty of material to draw from, unless the source is a heartfelt Craigslist ad. In 2015, a headline titled “I met you in the rain on the last day of 1972” appeared under the “Missed Connections” category of Boston’s Craigslist. This life-changing story about a Vietnam veteran on the verge of suicide, who was uplifted by a woman he met on the streets of Boston, went viral. It not only touched the lives of those who read it but also inspired writer and director Samuel Gonzalez Jr. to create a film based on it. The Plastic Men transforms fact into fiction. It brings depth to a story that only reveals the outcome. Gonzalez Jr. drew upon his own experiences as a veteran to fill in the gaps, using horror as a medium to illustrate the terrors of PTSD and the circumstances that can lead a person to unimaginable ends.
The Plastic Men is set in the time leading up to the Vietnam War and follows Jonathan Teller (James Preston) and his best friend Speedy (Matthew Fahey) as they drive back home from a trip to Mexico. The opening scene captures their friendship brilliantly, with both friends engaging in playful banter. However, their good times end abruptly when the police pull them over. Jonathan feels anxious about the beer cans that litter the truck. Speedy worries more about the drugs he smuggled from Mexico. One wrong move results in a tragic loss for Jonathan. He loses his best friend and then gets hauled off to jail. A couple of years later, the military offers him a chance at freedom by joining the Vietnam War. This ultimately leads Jonathan down a path riddled with the effects of PTSD.
Samuel Gonzalez Jr. served in Iraq, and brings a haunting authenticity to The Plastic Men, a film that dives deep into the psychological scars left behind by war. Drawing from his own experiences, he crafts a personal and universal narrative. He offers a raw depiction of a man grappling with the demons of war and the struggle to reintegrate into civilian life.
The Plastic Men uses horror tropes not to scare but to delve into the psyche of its troubled protagonist. Gonzalez Jr. uses dim lighting, nightmarish flashbacks, and unreliable imagery to portray the disquieting atmosphere of Jonathan’s mind. As he attempts to live a civilized life, the film presents ghostly apparitions of his past. These apparitions include his best friend and the innocents who lost their lives at his hands. However, Gonzalez Jr. allows the horror elements to overshadow the story’s depth. The commentary on the lasting impact of PTSD works here, exemplifying the fallout and inability to sustain a simple job. However, it doesn’t enhance the story, rather just moves from one episode to another. While each frame keeps the audience on Jonathan’s emotional journey, the filmmakers’ decision to isolate him and not portray any type of relationship until the end makes for a slightly jarring watch.
During the Vietnam War, someone coined the term “The Plastic Men” to describe how society treated the veterans when they returned home to their country. This juxtaposition emphasizes how Jonathan feels lost in a world that no longer understands him. This makes his struggles relatable and hauntingly real. The contrast between the effects of war and the mundane challenges of civilian life serves to magnify his internal battle. Cinematography highlights that contrast. It captures the realities of both worlds, blending nightmarelike war scenes with the gray, lifeless tones of post-war America.
While the horror elements and cinematography effectively capture the essence of the film, they do not help reduce its grueling pace. In The Plastic Men, scenes dealing with PTSD are presented as horror, but not through the conventional use of jump scares. Instead, the film employs a slow-burn aesthetic, utilizing dolly-in shots to create an eerie atmosphere. Wide shots provide insight into Jonathan’s unreliable mind, contrasting with previous scenes. Unfortunately, the horror scenes linger. This slows the film’s pace after a misleading fast-paced opening with heavy dialogue.
Final Thoughts:
The Plastic Men is a fundamental blend of horror and emotional storytelling. It is brought to life by a director who understands the weight of his subject matter. Gonzalez Jr’s veteran perspective infuses the film with authenticity, making Jonathan’s journey resonate on a sincere level to those with the same struggles. As the film concludes with a reflection on connection and loss, it leaves viewers contemplating the line between hope and despair. The Plastic Men not only sheds light on the often-overlooked struggles of veterans but also serves as a reminder of the impact that one person can have on another’s life, even in the darkest of times.
2.5/5
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Ever since my mom took me to go see The Blair Witch Project in theaters when I was 7 years old I’ve been obsessed with not just movies but the horror genre. When I’m not watching movies you can find me thrifting, attending a local horror convention, or collecting physical media. I attended the University of Central Florida with a degree in Cinema Studies and use my degree to rant about movies online.
MY FAVORITE MOVIES: The Cabin in the Woods, Cabaret, Seven Samurai, The Blair Witch Project, Inglourious Basterds