From NetFlix:

After a tour of duty in the Middle East, Kelli expects her life to return to normal when she rejoins her husband and two children at home. But she finds herself unable to fit in as she realizes her family and friends have changed during her absence.

Undoubtedly Kelli’s experiences when she returns from war to civilian life are typical for many. Today (May 28, 2012) in the newspaper I read that 46% of all returning vets are applying for disability. As in any war the physical and mental damage to the returning veterans is extensive and horrific. Today we (supposedly) pay more attention to their problems.

HOWEVER, the NetFlix summary in my opinion is incorrect. Rather, it is Kelli herself who has changed and seems to refuse to re-enter her former life. Yes, her drunken friends seem stupidly superficial. Yes, her factory job seems boring and pointless (but wasn’t it always?). But her husband, played by Michael Shannon (the psychotic father in Take Shelter (2011)), is a hard-working, dedicated, caring person. She simply rejects him without our knowing why. She quits her job, drinks too much, is convicted of a DUI, and becomes promiscuous. Never mind that it gets worse. My complaint with this film is that it just portrays one of today’s common life patterns without ever delving into the “why”.

Finally I just lost sympathy for the poor lost soul that Kelli becomes. Such a downer! You are warned!