The Way We Get By |  | Director: Aron Gaudet
Actors: William Knight, Joan Gaudet, Gerald Mundy
Studio: The Way We Get By Productions, Inc.
Category: DVD
List Price: $24.99
Buy New: $22.49
as of 3/21/2010 14:56 CDT details
You Save: $2.50 (10%)
Seller: Amazon.com
Rating:  8 reviews
Sales Rank: 16580
Format: NTSC, Widescreen
Language: English (Unknown)
Region: 1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 84 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6
UPC: 884501204446
EAN: 0884501204446
ASIN: B002QBL2NU
Release Date: November 3, 2009
Shipping: Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping
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Product Description
Award-winning film, The Way We Get By, is a deeply moving story about life and how to live it. Beginning as a seemingly idiosyncratic story about troop greeters - a group of senior citizens who gather daily at a small airport to thank American soldiers departing and returning from Iraq, the film quickly turns into a moving, unsettling and compassionate story about aging, loneliness, war and mortality. When its three subjects aren't at the airport, they wrestle with their own problems: failing health, depression, mounting debt. Joan, a grandmother of eight, has a deep connection to the soldiers she meets. The sanguine Jerry keeps his spirits up even as his personal problems mount. And the veteran Bill, who clearly has trouble taking care of himself, finds himself contemplating his own death. Seeking out the telling detail rather than offering sweeping generalizations, the film carefully builds stories of heartbreak and redemption, reminding us how our culture casts our elders, and too often our soldiers, aside. More important, regardless of your politics, The Way We Get By, celebrates three unsung heroes who share their love with strangers who need and deserve it. Awards include: WINNER - SXSW Special Jury Award WINNER - Full Frame Audience Award WINNER - Best Documentary Phoenix Film Fest WINNER - Best Documentary Atlanta Film Fest WINNER - Best Documentary Newport Intl. Film Fest WINNER - Audience Award Newport Intl. Film Fest WINNER - Best Documentary Little Rock Film Fest WINNER - Standing Up Cleveland Intl. Film Fest. WINNER - Audience Award Camden Film Festival
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 8
touching documentary February 22, 2010
James J. Campbell (Boston, MA)
made me cry, even though I'm a dude.
these guys welcomed my brother-in-law back from Iraq.
the group gives these "old war horses" something meaningful to do, and it clearly means a lot to the returning soldiers.
instead of coming back from war to a sterile airport, these guys provide a patriotic, happy, carnival atmospher that lets the returnees truly realize that they are home!!
THREE OF GOD'S ANGELS February 6, 2010
JUDITH LAWSON
I purchased two of these DVD's as Christmas gifts - and was able to watch it myself. These three people do such awesome work. It is a "feel good" movie although I cried at times. Proud to be a native Mainer!!!
incredibly powerful and poignant December 29, 2009
Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
The Way We Get By paints a stunning portrait of three older people who have selflessly donated so much of their time, day and night, over the last six or more years to greeting soldiers returning home from serving overseas. They sometimes have to say farewell to troops leaving for war-torn areas as well. On a deeper level, however, the film meaningfully explores the universal issues of mortality and aging; this makes the picture a standout because many of us, understandably, don't always think as much about these things as we should. After all, it can be painful to deal with mortality, aging and war, but this film doesn't hurt feelings the way it might have if it had been in less capable hands. Director/writer Aron Gaudet sensitively and brilliantly deals with these themes in this film; and that's wonderful. The story line of this documentary will move you greatly as it moved me; and I cannot help but admire the magnificent way in which we get to get to know the three senior citizens who have volunteered to meet and greet the troops at the airport in Bangor, Maine. In addition, the cinematography works great and the flow of the film is just right; the editing couldn't have been better.
Specifically, the three seniors we meet and come to know are Joan Gaudet, William Knight and Gerald Mundy. Joan, an elderly widow, retains a feisty personality. Despite her having to take seventeen pills a day of prescription medication, we see Joan driving to the Bangor airport at all hours of the day or night and she scarcely ever complains. William, a rather lonesome elderly man who misses his late wife as well as his time in the military, also routinely makes it to the airport despite his cancer. Gerald also feels quite alone, especially after his dog dies, and his dedication to their project of greeting the troops is remarkable.
Of course, there's much more to know about these three people, their interactions with the troops and this story in general than what I've written here. It may seem as if I've given too much away; but I haven't. I don't want to spoil it for you.
The DVD comes with a brief section of production notes and a list of honors and awards it won after it was released. The film received sixteen honors and awards--outstanding! I would have liked a director's commentary but the film is just so well done and memorable that I can overlook this.
The Way We Get By is one of the most sensitive, poignant and insightful films to date concerning the emotional issues of war, mortality and aging. I highly recommend this documentary.
great people December 22, 2009
D. Wright (FLORIDA USA)
this dvd is lovely. the people are real, not snobs or self impressed, they are sweet, giving, caring, strong people. i have never met them but i really like them. people of Bangor- your the best!!!!!!!!
Mandatory December 5, 2009
B. Lewis (Maryland)
Everyone should see this movie. All Middle and High Scholl students should be required to watch this documentary. The lives of the senior citizens in Bangor, ME are enriched and enhanced by their simple act of kindness and respect that they show for the soldiers of this country. I only wish that some of our politicians showed the same level of respect ot our troops.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 8
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