Review of Field of Lost Shoes (2015) by Tuff L — 29 Sep 2014

I rarely go to the movies, much less review them. But I just returned from one of the limited showings of "Field of Lost Shoes." Having participated in reenactments of the Battle of New Market, I was interested in this film account of the VMI cadets who fought for the Confederacy.

I'm glad I saw the movie but I don't know why. Maybe because I like American history, and it was filmed at a place I have been as a reenactor. The pageantry of the footage of modern day VMI on parade was the best part of the film.

The story was disjointed with huge gaps in story line and acting that was reminiscent of a middle school play, with apologies to middle school drama clubs. I could not buy the character played by the same young actor who plays Luke on Modern Family.

His character did not make sense and I couldn't buy him in another role. Typecast so young, but a VMI cadet he was not. If I was younger I would be crushing on some of those cadet actors like I used to crush on Patrick Swayze back during North and South.

I might have been able to connect to the characters if they had shown actual photos of the 1864 VMI cadets. The reenactors looked really good, and by that I mean there was a noticeable and welcome absence of old, fat reenactors usually seen as film extras or at the local Civil War living history encampment.

The women's garb was pretty good, in that when I looked at the slightly sheer bodice on the young girl, I could see what looked like a chemise sleeve underneath so points for that. If the film comes to a theatre near you, go ahead and see it.

Ignore the disjointed story line, mediocre acting and cameos by B list actors (maybe a few A listers but not memorable ones). Especially if you are a teenage girl. You will love the boys in uniform, except Luke Dunphy, of course.