I Am That Man is an indie film written, produced, directed, and starring Matthew Marsden whom you will recognize from Black Hawk Down. It is made with RedWire Pictures, Roaming Elephant Films, and Hazel BlueProductions, who describe the movie as “a story of perseverance and hope. It is a grateful tribute to those who serve our country with honor, courage, and fortitude.”

Former Navy SEAL John Beckett (Matthew Marsden) saw intense combat overseas. Civilian life in Los Angeles does not seem to fit him as he is struggling to be a good father and good husband to his wife Nicole (Christine Lakin), who has separated from him due to his refusal to seek help for his issues. Going through life on auto-pilot, he spends time with his son and works at his job as he struggles to rebuild his life as a soldier without a war. That all changes when one of his best friends is brutally murdered by a gang of skinheads who attacked him over his Jewish heritage. Beckett decides to launch a one-man war on the gang of men and bring them to justice.

Marsden makes his directorial debut with I Am That Man and he does a good job of crafting the story. You feel Beckett’s struggle and growing isolation as he pushes his family away out of fear that he will harm them with his issues. However, the tragic death of a friend helps him to find a new war to fight, seeking justice. It is excellently told by Marsden and he takes the lead like a pro.

The same can be said of the rest of the cast. Everyone here does an excellent job and brings the story to life in an impressive way. They did not hold back and I felt that helped you to connect with the characters they were portraying.

One thing I appreciate is that it is unapologetic (a word the filmmakers use) in its approach to battling evil and hate in the world. There is no middle ground here. The villains are abhorrent and our hero is wounded, but he still stands for what he believes in.

Bottom line, I found the plot of I Am That Man engaging, the acting excellent, and the overall story to have depth. With indie films, you do have to watch out for filmmakers replacing absurdity and “auteur” plot devices for good storytelling. Not so with this movie. It focuses on bringing the viewer an experience that is worth every minute.

FAVORITE QUOTE: It’s a lot.

PARENTAL CONCERNS: Violence, Language

Check out the trailer:

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below and tell me about your thoughts. While you are at it, check out my review of Venom and If You’re Gone. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more posts like this one.

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