Cook review: Veterans help each other heal in ‘Mending the Line’

“Mending the Line” is a somewhat predictable but enjoyable look at the plight of veterans recovering from wounds that aren’t necessarily physical.

The story begins in Afghanistan where a group of Marines are celebrating their last day of deployment. That is, until they dispatched for one final patrol, where many are killed and Colter, their leader (Sinqua Walls) is injured.

Meanwhile, back in the states, Ike, a Vietnam veteran (Brian Cox) has a mishap while he is fly fishing.

Both Ike and Colter are sent to the same veterans clinic, where neither wants to listen to what a doctor (Patricia Heaton) has to say. Colter, who wants to get back into action, is frustrated that he is required to undergo therapy at a rehabilitation facility. He cannot deal with the possibly that he may not be able to return to active eduty.

Soon after an enraged Colter disrupts a therapy group, he meets Ike and Ike’s friend Harrison (the wonderful Wes Studi,) who runs a local fishing shop.

The gruff Ike growls at Colter for drinking, and encourages him to learn to fly fish, which has helped Ike cope for a good many years.

Colter also makes the acquaintance of Lucy (Perry Mattfield,) a librarian who volunteers at the rehab facility. Lucy, too, is working through some trauma, and she forms a tentative friendship with Colter.

I really like the friendship between Ike and Harrison – I knew of one very like it. It feels genuine.

Except for the war scenes and Colter’s nightmares, the movie is a gentle one, with the beautiful environments of Montana and a gorgeous score by Bill Brown.

A few times, the film strays toward a “Lifetime Movie” feel, but Cox and Walls bring it back to solid footing. The final few moments are the best – it wouldn’t be fair to tell you any more than that, except to say you may feel a lump in your throat at the end.

3 stars

Running time: Two hours and two minutes.

Rated: R for foul language and violence.

Streaming on various platforms.

Watch the trailer here.

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