Year: 2012
Runtime: 107 min
Language: English
Director: Marty Papazian
A veteran struggling with a strained marriage and an uncertain future finds his life unexpectedly changed when he agrees to help a young boy searching for his missing father. As he assists the boy on this emotional journey, Anthony is forced to reckon with the lasting impact of his wartime experiences. Through their shared quest, he discovers unexpected compassion and finds a path toward healing and renewed hope.
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Anthony Papazian, a seasoned Marine, returns to his home in Arizona after enduring a challenging tour abroad. However, the shadows of his past continue to haunt him, as he grapples with severe posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Nightmares invade his dreams, impacting both his rest and his daily life. His relationship with ex-wife Jenny Anderson has deteriorated to the extent that a restraining order is now in effect, leaving him feeling isolated and disconnected from society due to his encounters with the law.
Amidst this chaos, Anthony discovers an unlikely friendship with his neighbor Cheryl Cook, whom he fiercely protects from her abusive boyfriend. Cheryl’s young son, Wade Leabu, quickly forms a bond with Anthony, transcending their disparate backgrounds. However, their newfound connection is put to the test when Wade approaches Anthony, distraught over his mother’s life-threatening heroin overdose. Driven by compassion and a sense of responsibility, Anthony rushes to help, despite the turmoil in his own life.
They race to the University Medical Center, desperately trying to save Cheryl, but their efforts prove futile as she succumbs to her addiction. In the aftermath, Jolene San Giacomo, a dedicated social services worker, steps in and allows Anthony to assume guardianship of Wade while they seek a suitable foster family. Navigating the complexities of guardianship, Anthony encourages Wade to confront his challenges, particularly when a caring teacher attempts to step in, leading Anthony to oppose authority figures like police officer George Dutton.
Tragedy strikes when Wade’s reckless behavior results in the accidental death of Anthony’s beloved dog. Faced with severe repercussions, Anthony finds himself arrested on multiple charges, while Wade is placed in foster care. It is only through Jolene’s steadfast determination and Anthony’s increasing sense of duty that he begins to focus on his own well-being, ultimately allowing Jolene to provide him with limited access to Wade once again.
Last Updated: November 17, 2024 at 20:31
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Damaged adults find healing by stepping up for a child in need.If you liked the dynamic in Least Among Saints, explore more movies where a troubled adult forms a life-changing bond with a child. These similar drama stories focus on found family, mentorship, and the redemptive power of protecting someone vulnerable, often leading to mutual healing.
These stories typically begin with an isolated or struggling adult whose path crosses with a child facing adversity. The initial reluctance to help gives way to a deepening protective instinct. The central conflict often involves the adult's internal battles, which they must overcome to be truly present for the child, culminating in a mutually redemptive relationship.
Movies are grouped here because they share the powerful, character-driven archetype of the 'wounded guardian'. The emotional core lies in the slow, often difficult, building of trust between two broken people, leading to a hopeful conclusion where both characters find a new chance at family and purpose.
Emotionally weighty journeys through trauma that ultimately find light.Find more movies like Least Among Saints that balance heavy emotional themes with a redemptive, hopeful core. These similar drama films explore trauma and loss but ultimately focus on healing and finding a path forward, perfect for viewers seeking stories that are heartfelt but not bleak.
The narrative pattern involves a protagonist mired in the consequences of a painful past. A catalyst—often a person or an event—forces them to engage with the world again. The journey is steeped in melancholy and reflection, but key moments of connection and perseverance steadily build toward a climax of acceptance or healing, affirming the possibility of a better future.
These films are grouped by their unique tonal balance: they are unflinchingly honest about emotional pain yet resiliently optimistic about the human capacity for recovery. The shared experience is one of catharsis—feeling the weight of the struggle but leaving with a sense of hope.
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