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The Way We Get By

Play trailer Poster for The Way We Get By Released Jul 17, 2009 1h 24m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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92% Tomatometer 25 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
This documentary chronicles a group of tireless senior citizens who devote their time to comforting U.S. troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. At an airport in Bangor, Maine, the retirees turn out every time an airplane carrying an American soldier arrives, providing the young men and women with meals, cell phones to call home and rounds of applause. The film also explores the home lives of the seniors, who are confronted with familial and health-related concerns of their own.

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Critics Consensus

The Way We Get By is a thoughtful, poignant look at some unsung American heroes.

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Critics Reviews

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Lisa Kennedy Denver Post It is straightforward work. Yet over time, it becomes clearly, steadfastly about the existential. Rated: 3/4 Sep 25, 2009 Full Review Wesley Morris Boston Globe Watching them issue hugs produces an involuntary response. You want to hug them, too. Rated: 3/4 Aug 27, 2009 Full Review Gary Goldstein Los Angeles Times Bring your handkerchiefs. Rated: 4/5 Aug 14, 2009 Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com One of the documentary highlights of the 2009 Indianapolis International Film Festival. Rated: 3.5/4.0 Sep 26, 2020 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews The earnest documentary is filled with many small moments that are heartfelt. Rated: B+ Nov 15, 2009 Full Review Don Willmott Filmcritic.com plucks every heartstring but never in a manipulative or maudlin way. Rated: 3.5/5 Nov 12, 2009 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member A tender look at hellos, goodbyes, loneliness, family, and being present. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Audience Member This is a beautiful and simple movie about ordinary heroes. This is a wonderful movie about a group Bangor, Maine residents welcome over 700,000 American troops going to and returning from Afghanistan and/or Iraq. The movie focuses on Bill Knight, Joan Guadet and Jerry Mundy. Regardless of the time or their various handicaps, they take time out of their days to welcome the troops through one of the busiest military interchanges entering into and leaving the United States. This is either the last stop as the troops head out of the country, or the first place they get to before they head home. This is not a political movie. It's a beautiful movie about life, death, people, relationships and a great movie to watch on Memorial Day weekend. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Audience Member Whether you're believe in the wars our country is in or not, this documentary touches a nerve on so many levels.. Well done... Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/15/23 Full Review Audience Member Powerful and a great Memorial Day view. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review Audience Member So incredibly sad... Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Audience Member If this doesn't touch you you have no heart. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Way We Get By

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Movie Info

Synopsis This documentary chronicles a group of tireless senior citizens who devote their time to comforting U.S. troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. At an airport in Bangor, Maine, the retirees turn out every time an airplane carrying an American soldier arrives, providing the young men and women with meals, cell phones to call home and rounds of applause. The film also explores the home lives of the seniors, who are confronted with familial and health-related concerns of their own.
Director
Aron Gaudet
Producer
Gita Pullapilly
Screenwriter
Aron Gaudet
Distributor
International Film Circuit [us]
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 17, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 18, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$43.1K
Runtime
1h 24m
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