The issue of LGBTQ+ individuals serving in the military, once a source of intense debate, has become less contentious over time—though progress hasn't reached everyone’s expectations. Not long ago, however, it remained a sensitive subject, creating hardships for service members, particularly those in relationships who worked alongside each other, even with protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation supposedly in place. These are some of the difficulties explored in writer-director David Wagner’s third film, which tells a true story about an Austrian military drill sergeant (Gerhard Liebmann) who is secretly married and falls for a recruit (Luka Dimić) who openly identifies as gay. The narrative and emotional core of the movie are genuinely moving, but the way it's presented doesn't quite measure up. A significant issue lies with the script; events move along at an improbable speed, resulting in jarring shifts and ultimately undermining the film’s authenticity. This creates a feeling that the story is hurried, which could have been avoided by allowing more time for things to unfold naturally, especially considering its relatively brief 97-minute length. The characters sometimes feel larger than life; the sergeant's personality swings dramatically between harsh authority figure and caring partner, while the recruit seems overly bold and expressive, making it hard to fully believe in him. The photography also suffers from moments of excessive darkness, making it difficult for viewers to see what’s happening, especially during an early intimate scene that is incredibly obscure. It's disappointing that this film has so many shortcomings because it tells a story with genuine heart that deserves better treatment. Sharing a touching narrative like this is valuable, but the creators should have told it in a way that feels honest and believable—something that’s mostly missing here.

Source on TMDB