Review of Allegiance

This is a military drama that takes place in 2004. The National Guard is being called up at unprecedented rates to serve in Iraq. This film looks at one unit in New York getting ready to transfer. No one wants to go to Iraq. Some are able to get out of it. Lt. Sefton (Seth Gabel) because of his powerful family connections, is being transferred to another unit and doesn't have to go. He is helping out as a supply officer. His platoon has harsh feelings in the matter.

Meanwhile Reyes, the corpsman is supposed to stay behind because his son has stage 4 cancer and six months to live. This was denied because he is too good at his job. The platoon helps him go AWOL. Sefton is drawn into the action with mixed allegiances.

What makes this a good film is the stark contrast of Sefton's replacement, Lt. Chambers (Pablo Schreiber). He is all duty having been to Iraq before and injured. He broke up with his girlfriend prior to deployment because it wasn't fair to her. He does not question orders. The film questions duty to family and friends vs. duty to country in a war that wasn't important enough to die for. It does so in a subtle manner.

This is not a war film or action film. It is a well acted thriller/drama.

Parental Guide: F-bombs, no sex or nudity.