The Journey of Two Men Dodging the Military Draft
Produced by True Studios and directed by Corey Aumiller, On the Lam is a political thriller that deals with the controversial issue of the draft being reinstated here in America, and the consequences suffered by those who act out against it. Although not professional actors but defiantly well experienced in the field, Aaron Syler plays the role of Eric Snyder and Gregory R Kissner portrays Neil Ward, the two main draft dodgers in the film. Aumiller makes his cameo as one of the three draft dodgers who discover Neil and Eric at their camp. The other two dodgers are played by fellow True Studios members, Aaron Patterson and Joe Rosenblum.
Set not so far into the future, relations between the United States and Iran have evolved into military aggression, and the fear of being called up by the draft for young American men becomes very real. Eric Snyder and Neil Ward have watched their friends go to war and are now faced with an impossible choice; fight for a cause in which they do not believe or abandon a way of life they do not wish to lose. As control of the Canadian and Mexican borders tighten, Eric and Neil decide to leave their friends and family behind to venture into the American West. After months of seclusion, other dodgers arrive only to jeopardize their plans and threaten their survival. Eric & Neil are forced to re-enter the civilized world only to find that things have become much worse than they had imagined.
Despite being made with a low budget, On the Lam presents itself as a film that seems as though it took great expense to make. The film includes one amazing set or action after another, from vast wilderness sets to helicopters, fist fights to suicide. The majority of the film was shot in Big Bend National Park in Texas, as well as a vast number of locations here in Columbus, Ohio. (Ex: Grandview Avenue, The University Inn, Victorian’s Midnight Cafe.) Out of context, the costumes in the film are nothing spectacular since neither the plot nor the time period call for elaboration. In context, the characters are dressed suitable for their parts in blue jeans and t-shirts, which seems to add authenticity to their characters and also the here-and-now time period. The music for On the Lam is an entirely original score, written specifically for the movie by Dane Terry, as well as some featured music from Shawn Tegtmeier.
Reinstating the military draft; a political act that has cast fear into the heart of the American people for years, and be it the 60’s or here in 2008, it is still as controversial as ever. On the Lam takes a good look into the lives of those affected by the draft; not just those who are enlisted, but their friends and family as well. The military draft has affected us all in different ways, and this movie delivers when it comes to showing the effect it has on young American men, and the sometimes fatal lengths they will go to, to avoid war. It seems as though On the Lam has emerged at a perfect time in our society and culture; a time of war, and political unrest. This movie does not only stand as a political messenger for the men of my generation, but as an emotional journey thorough the affect of wartime on a country. Teeming with action, comedy, politics, and gorgeous set location, On the Lam is a film worthy of admiration from independent film connoisseurs and festivals across the nation.